One of the most endearing scriptures is Ephesians 1:3-14, written by the apostle Paul. Christ blessed us with many spiritual gifts that God ordained when we were chosen by Him. God chose us in love before the world was created so that we would be holy and without blame. Because God adopted us as His children, He gave us grace in His beloved Son. Through Christ, our sins were forgiven with Christ’s death on the cross. With wisdom and insight, God made us aware of His divine will through time, through things made possible by Christ, and by the gifts of heaven and earth. We were given an inheritance so that we might set our hope in Christ to praise Him for all that He has given us. We were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit by hearing the truth, by understanding the gospel of salvation, and by believing in Him.
Even in my most troubled times, Christ has walked beside me, making all things possible. Just as I have shoveled more inches of snow every day and have felt the weight of the shovel, I know He will make my path more easy to walk on, even if I slip from time to time. As my tears have fallen on the muddy ground that I have struggled through, nothing is more comforting than knowing that Christ holds me in the palms of His hands. God strengthens my heart all the time, and my song is my salvation. Because I know that He will be with me wherever I go, I can be strong and courageous. Through His gifts of grace, love, hope, light, and peace, I can do all things through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. So I say bring on those times when the snow is dirty and gray with mud showing through. They will be no problem for me because the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have sealed my heart, mind, and soul with unconditional love and grace.
Anna Hartt
