A Long Walk Through... Ephesians: Help and Rest

It's hard to get up in the mornings at this time of year. It's dark and cold and the weather is usually pretty unpleasant (unless you are reading this somewhere other than Scotland where the above statement is true even in summer). There are other reasons why we can find it hard to get up and get on with our days. We are not just tired but weary, not just troubled by the weather forecast but by what is going on in our lives.

Paul reminds us of something with a simple and common greeting from his corner of the world. Grace and peace. As you set about your day and go about your life there is help (grace) and rest (peace).

Grace reminds us that God's favour rests on us even when we don't deserve it. He is looking at your life, totally aware of your situation and is willing to invest who He is in what you are facing. Grace reminds us that we can look to Him who is already looking upon us.

And rest. God is the prince of peace, the source of everlasting peace, a peace that surpasses understanding. He offers you rest when you run to Him with the things that make you restless, feel resourceless and render you defenceless. The offer is to rest in Him by relying on Him rather than leaning on your own resources which have alrady proven their futility.

God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are the one true and perfect source of help and rest. If God can offer you eternal help and peace about your eternity through the work of Jesus on the cross, He can offer you everyday help and peace as He wlalks through this life with you. Today, you are invited to throw yourself, to flee towards, to find yourself in the grace and peace that they offer- what would stop you?