Sometimes doubt comes in like a flash flood. Sweeping through, weakening or decimating the pillars that helped give stability and identity.
Other times it is a constant steady drip, slowly eroding over time and making it’s way into the foundation of our identity.
The foundation of who we are in Christ will be tested and refined. This testing may flood in as we transition to a new place or role, it can also be tested in the living out of our day to day life in a constantly shifting culture.
The struggle with identity and doubt is not unique to our time. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we see people dealing with the issues of identity and purpose.
Ephesus was a city much like present day New York, vastly diverse, fast paced, a veritable cultural and religious melting pot. It was busy, it was loud and there was tension. The tension was found when the daily living out of who we are in Christ is juxtaposed with the strong currents of cultural beliefs and desires. Do we have value? Where does it come from? Does that change how we live?
Paul writes to the believers in Ephesus, both young and old, to help strengthen the pillars of their faith. It is not that they no longer believe but that they live in the midst of a society that does not. Their foundations have been shaken in the midst of the chaos of culture. They question, they struggle, they need to be reminded and to have hope.
Through Paul’s writing we can see the foundations of the gospel of Christ, anchors that hold fast in the shifting and raging currents of culture. We see that even in the midst of the dark tunnels of doubt we have a hope that cannot be extinguished.
We invite you to join us as we explore the book of Ephesians over the next few weeks. Our prayer is that God would strengthen our foundations and encourage hope in our hearts. May He reveal to us who He is, who we are and what He is calling us to do.
May God bless you and keep you, may He cause His face to shine upon you and give you peace.
