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The Mystery of His Will – Love Beyond Measure · Still, Here

• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: This is still here.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: A quiet moment to remember what is true.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_00: Listen to these words from the book of Ephesians chapter 1 verses 9 and 10.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: Making known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: which he purposed in him to an administration of the fullness of the times
• 0:26
  SPEAKER_00: to sum up all things in Christ The things in the heavens and the things on the earth
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: in Him.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: Many sincere believers learned to imagine God's will as one large,
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: dramatic, and highly specific path.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: They heard stories of missionaries leaving everything for a distant country,
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: ministers receiving an unmistakable call,
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: or people being guided through an extraordinary sign.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: Those stories can be beautiful,
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_00: yet ordinary work and daily life may begin to seem less spiritual by comparison.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: Then, guidance becomes pressure.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: We feel the need to get every decision exactly right.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: One wrong choice might close the door, disappoint God, or leave us outside the life He intended.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_00: We search every feeling, circumstance.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_00: The
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: small ruler says, I must discover one perfect path or I will miss God's will for my life.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: Paul speaks of the mystery of God's will, then reveals its great direction.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: God is gathering all things together in Christ.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: The mystery is deeper than we can fully understand.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: Yet, it is not a private puzzle designed to expose whether we can decode
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: the correct instructions.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: God's purpose is larger than one career decision,
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_00: one relationship, one opportunity, or one season.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_00: God is restoring creation toward the wholeness, harmony, and life revealed in Christ.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: Your life already belongs within that movement.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_00: Ordinary professions,
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: relationships,
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_00: creativity,
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: care, service, truth-telling, and joy can all participate in what God is doing.
• 2:35
  SPEAKER_00: A meaningful calling does not require a dramatic setting or public visibility.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: God's will includes becoming fully alive to love in Christ wherever you are.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: Our gifts often become visible where life begins to feel coherent.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: We recognize them more clearly when we stop trying to become
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: the person we imagine God would prefer.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: Peace with who we are clears perception.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_00: Desire, wisdom,
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_00: scripture,
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: relationships,
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_00: opportunity,
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_00: experience,
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: and an inward readiness can begin pointing towards the next faithful step.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: Guidance is usually received through relationship with God,
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: not extracted from Him with anxious effort.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_00: Past decisions, losses, delays, and detours have not removed you from God's purpose.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_00: God can begin from where you are.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: A season that appeared wasted may have become a place of learning.
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_00: A closed door may have redirected your attention.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: A disappointment may have deepened compassion.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: A period of waiting may have formed patience you could not have acquired by speed.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_00: Think of God's guidance as a compass rather than a detailed map.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_00: The compass keeps orienting you toward Christ,
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_00: toward love, truth, courage, mercy, wisdom, freedom, and faithful presence.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: You may not see the entire route.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: You do not need to see at all in order to take one honest step.
• 4:25
  SPEAKER_00: Rest in God's presence.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: Remain open.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_00: Notice what is faithful and available now.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: God's will is a resting place you move from rather than a destination you struggle toward.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_00: You began this series wondering how to find your place.
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_00: Ephesians has begun showing you that your place was already prepared in Christ.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_00: Take a moment for this prayer of presence.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: God of restoration, my life is already held within what you are gathering in Christ.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: I release the fear that one imperfect choice can place me beyond your leading.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_00: Hope returns as I trust you to begin from where I am And to use even the parts
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_00: of my story I do not understand.
• 5:19
  SPEAKER_00: Orient my heart toward Christ and make the next faithful step clear enough to take.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_00: I remain open to your loving purpose.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_00: As you pick up the next task in front of you, carry this prayer with you.
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_00: I do not need the whole map.
• 5:43
  SPEAKER_00: I am held in God's purpose.
• 5:48
  SPEAKER_00: I do not need the whole map.
• 5:52
  SPEAKER_00: I am held in God's purpose.
• 6:15
  SPEAKER_00: If you would like to go deeper,
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_00: the written reflections and other resources are available
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_00: at powerloveandmiracles.com.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, stay steady, stay open, stay present.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_00: You are still here.