Wednesday, January 15, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: John 8
Ephesians 5:1-2
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
The apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers in Ephesus around AD 60-62, while imprisoned in Rome. Despite his challenging circumstances, Paul’s focus remained on encouraging others to live out their faith. His imprisonment highlights the depth of his commitment to the Gospel and his unwavering belief that even in suffering, God’s work continues. This adds weight to his words, showing that the call to imitate God and walk in love is not dependent on external circumstances but rooted in a heart fully surrendered to Christ. His letter encouraged the Ephesians to live in a way that reflected their identity as God’s children—holy, chosen, and dearly loved.
Paul’s message is relevant today as we navigate our spiritual journeys. In our new series, Are We There Yet?, we’re reframing how we approach goal setting by shifting our focus from striving for perfection to celebrating progress. This aligns beautifully with Ephesians 5:1-2. Paul calls us to model our lives after Christ—not out of an impossible quest for flawlessness, but out of a desire to reflect God’s love in our daily actions.
It’s easy to become fixated on achieving the "ideal" version of ourselves. We set lofty goals, only to feel discouraged when we fall short. But God isn’t asking us to be perfect. He’s asking us to walk in love, to reflect his character, and to grow daily through his grace.
When we celebrate progress—the small victories of kindness, forgiveness, and obedience—we align our hearts with God’s perspective. Just as Christ’s sacrifice was a "pleasing aroma to God," our sincere efforts to live in love bring him joy. God delights in our steps toward him, no matter how small they may seem.
Instead of dwelling on how far you feel from the "finish line," celebrate how far you’ve come. Take time to reflect on who you were before and how you’ve progressed. Each step forward is evidence of God’s work in you, drawing you closer to his heart.
Let’s release the pressure to arrive and embrace the journey of becoming more like Christ. Together, let’s celebrate progress over perfection.
Questions:
Where have you seen growth in your life?
How has God been shaping you to reflect his love?
Next Steps:
This week, take five minutes at the end of each day to journal one way you demonstrated Christ’s love. Whether it was showing patience in a tough situation, offering forgiveness, or being generous with your time, write it down and thank God for the progress he’s making in your life.
21 Days of Prayer
Day 10—Connection
Today’s Prayer Focus: To Connect with God Relationally (Romans 8:15)
Prayer:
Father, I come to you in prayer today, thankful that I am your child. You have forgiven me and adopted me as your own. You have made me righteous and restored our relationship. I am so grateful that you are my Father. Thank you for loving me. I love you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Romans 12:2
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
This post was written by Monique Myers, a Perrysburg attendee, and a regular contributor to the LivingItOut devotional.