I had to put this baby photo in. There’s something so catchy about a baby’s laughter. It shortens the distance between the brain and the heart. The heart and the emotions kick in and endorphins flow. It’s a quick route to joy.

I’ve been reading Ephesians for the past few days and have been warmed and impressed by a God that designed a plan that provided a quick route to our return to Him.

“But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace! He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!
Throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite, limitless riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ. For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ!”
– Ephesians 2:4-8 (TPT)

God’s plan is staggeringly brilliant!

Believe in Jesus and you will have everything. Faith in Jesus restores us to what God intentionally designed us to be. No wonder that this grace is described as “wonderful” (v7). The ESV uses the phrase “immeasurable riches” to translate the Greek text “hyperballō” which means “to throw beyond the usual mark,” or “to transcend, surpass, exceed, or excel.” Not exactly conservative, needing to be attenuated descriptions. In other words, the Greek language actually uses the “hyper” to describe how wonderful Grace really is.

And there’s more!

“For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.
We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!”
– Ephesians 2:8-10 (TPT)

We have become His poetry!

Amazing! Take another look at the laughing baby. Then think about God Who takes joyful delight in us in the same way we take delight in seeing a very happy baby. The joy is infectious.

Quite a few translations use the phrase “we are His workmanship.” It’s a good phrase to use. It’s practical and is complementary about God and us. But I do like the term “poetry.” 

God intended from the beginning that we be an amazing example of His workmanship. More so now that He has rescued us from craziness and has turned us into an image of Himself. True poetry that expresses the heart of heaven.

Grace to you!