Understanding

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

Ephesians 1:18

It is wonderful to understand.  There are many occasions in life which we only understand after years of contemplation and reflection.  Some things which life presents to us we struggle to understand, and even fear we never really will.  When we have the ‘aha’ moment and the light dawns about something we have wanted to understand, it is a truly delightful experience.  The Apostle Paul wanted the Ephesians to have many ‘aha’ moments, especially regarding Christ and ‘the hope of His calling.’  Of all we seek to understand, the understanding of God, His ways, His purposes, and His Christ, is the most intrinsically valuable, because it is the gateway to understanding both life and eternity.  Paul prayed for the Ephesians to have eyes of understanding which God had ‘enlightened.’  This would result in their understanding ‘the hope of His calling; the riches of the glory of His inheritance; and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.’  If we understand these things, we have remarkable spiritual maturity.  God alone can give us such maturity.  He will do so, by the working of His Spirit to enlighten the eyes of our understanding as He takes the things of Christ and shows them to us.  We pray this for others, and for ourselves.

Our Holy and Wise God,
we rejoice that You have all understanding.
We praise You, that You are able to impart unto us
understanding of the things which are most important
 for us to know to bring You glory.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning