Sunday, July 27, 2025  

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Today's Scripture
Ephesians 1:15–23

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (NRSV)

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Reflection

Oldest son Luke, before he walked, loved playing with wooden building blocks. He would invite me to join him on the floor, surrounded by multi-shaped pieces, and together we would construct a giant fort.

In elementary school Luke migrated to model rockets: nose cone, body tube, aerodynamic fins, assembly required. We would launch at a nearby playing field. Sometimes a rocket blew up or landed on a roof; most times it returned to earth, ready for its next mission.

In high school, Luke upped his rocket game. He would sand balsa wood and other parts smooth for hours, carefully paint tubes in the colors of the Armenian flag, and experiment with propellants.

I was not as patient. What was the point of all this time playing with rockets? When was Luke going to get serious about his future?

I should have read more Paul.

In this passage, Paul prays for the Ephesians — and us — to receive a revelation; to truly see God’s big picture. “With the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which” God has called you.

God does not want us to struggle to make sense of the world. Instead, God wants us to understand we are part of a grand, divine design from the start. We learn about God’s amazing design through our work, worship, blunders, relationships, and, yes, even our play.

Today, son Luke, who majored in aerospace engineering, creates sophisticated flight simulators for work; he also builds and flies drones for fun.

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Prayer

Dear God, open my eyes, enlighten me. Help me not to be distracted by the disjointed pieces of life but to stay focused on your grandest call for me to love and be loved. Amen.

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Written by Phil Calian, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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