Living in Context
Hi COTC Family,
What is most real to you? What context defines your life?
This week our staff went away on our annual retreat. This is a time of rest, relationship, and prayer together. Every year, I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend these 24 hours or so together as team. I'm grateful too for how God has called this gifted group to serve COTC.
As part of our time together, we studied the opening chapters of the book of Ephesians. Over the past year, chapters 1 and 2 have become very important in my life. They provide essential information about reality, teaching us about what is really real, but unseen. In Scripture, it is the unseen realities that matter most. So often, financial or physical reality matters most to me. They most clearly define my sense of well-being. There is a better way.
Paul’s descriptions of all that God has done, that is currently true, and that God will do in Christ are astounding! Paul uses some version of the phrase “in Christ” fifteen times throughout these chapters. In Christ we are saved, reconciled, and made alive. In Him, a new humanity has been created, and all things are being brought to a good and just end.
In my own life, keeping these unseen realities at the forefront has been important. With whatever struggles I face, whatever difficulty or uncertainty there is, the reality of who Jesus is holds precedent. The reality that I am in Him is the defining truth of my life. Connecting with this reality is a primary work for being a follower of Jesus.
How might this reality provide necessary context for your days?
In Ephesians 1:17-19, Paul prays that the eyes of the Ephesians’ hearts would be opened so they might know God better and understand the hope and glorious inheritance they have in Jesus. This enlightenment language is especially appropriate for the season of Epiphany. Like Paul, we pray that the “eyes of our hearts” would be illuminated to see and know God more, and to persevere through His glorious fullness in Jesus.
May this knowledge produce joy and perseverance in us, to the praise of His glory.
In Christ,
Peter+
Important Reminder: As part of our diocese's ongoing work to foster church culture that honors and protects us all as bearers of God’s image, all church volunteers are required to complete training related to the prevention of sexual harassment. If you volunteer in any capacity at COTC, you are required to:
Watch this training video.
Once you have watched the video, take this quiz.
After taking the quiz, complete this form, confirming you have completed the training.
Training needs to be completed by 1/31/24. Please contact Kimberly with any questions. Thank you!
PS. We're postponing our Living the Liturgical Year training that was scheduled for next week. We'll have more information about a new date shortly. Thanks!