NEVER OUT OF TOUCH

Ephesians 3:14-21 (King James Version)

It is really a disturbing feeling to be traveling on a six lane freeway and suddenly have the engine of the car accelerate at the same time the vehicle slows to a stop! Thanks to God we happened to be in the outer lane and there was room to coast into a turn-off for a junction. Thanks also to the two young men who rushed to our assistance and helped this 81 year old man push the useless vehicle into a near by parking lot. Having a cell phone, we were able to phone for an AAA tow truck. I will return to that later, but it was reassuring that the owner had painted on the back of his cab in giant words, “DESERT STORM , JESUS SAVES.” Jesus not only saves, but he is never out of touch to his own. God was looking after us, and we were certainly, in a “storm,” symbolically speaking.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul assures his brothers and sisters:

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (1 John 3:10)

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; (Romans 8:9, 1 Cor. 12:13) that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

God so loved us that he has provided for us thro his Son whom we “put on” or receive at the time of our Baptism, a means of reaching himself. (Matthew 22:37-39, 1 John 4:9-12, and 1 John 4:19-24)

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints (Romans 5:5, John 13:34-35) what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

This comes as a gift to all saints, that is all Christians. All who have put on Christ at their baptism, through faith.

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

As we prepared to leave the parking lot, the driver entered the street address of our destination into his electronic navigator, which it interpreted as latitude and longitude. From there on he pretty much ignored the voice which gave definite and clear instructions. Every time we ignored an instruction, the navigator refigured and changed the directions to an alternate route. Christ gives us divine direction, but these reach us not only by latitude and longitude, but also depth, as he did Jonah in depth of the sea, under very uncomfortable conditions, but also by height, as he did Neil Armstrong as he stepped out onto the surface of the moon. Whether trapped a mile beneath the surface in the deepest mine, or in a space craft, God is there. His love reaches us, and we, need never be out of touch.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.