READING: EPHESIANS 2:1-7
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
REFLECTION
Today’s reading is taken from Ephesians 2:1-7, I’ll be reading from verse 4 but do read the rest when you have time.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

I have a confession to make; I am a prolific sleep walker! Over the years my sleep-walking antics have been a source of amusement and horror to my friends and family. The time I was found ‘ten pin bowling’ on the landing, or when I slept-walked across Butlins or the night in our first week of marriage when my husband awoke to find a wall of clothes had been built between us on the bed! My family and now my long suffering husband know that in my sleepwalking moments I need to be told that I’m asleep and that I need to wake up.

Today’s passage made me think that God often acts like my husband, reminding us we are asleep and telling us to wake up! In verse 5 Paul tells us that we are called to come alive because of what Jesus has done. God is calling us to come alive, to wake up.

So often in our Christian walk we can be sleepwalking, going through the motions. Not really living like we are saved or that following Jesus is making any radical difference to us. Paul tells us that we are made alive in Christ for a purpose. To show God’s kindness, grace and love to the world. Jesus calls us as his disciples to live lives that are transformed, that we would constantly be changing and becoming more like him. This can only happen when we choose to come alive and step into the inheritance Jesus has won for us.

Today I’m asking myself the following questions. Is Jesus making a difference to my life today? Where are the places where I’m sleepwalking, maybe in my prayer life, in how I engage with my call group and cluster? Are there place I need to ‘come alive’ again.
PRAY
Lord, I don’t want to sleepwalk through life. I want my faith to me living and active, help me today to highlight the places where I need to ‘come alive’ and then ask you for the grace to see the change.