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"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people," Ephesians 1:18, NIV A few years ago, I traded my New Year's resolutions for a word or phrase to embrace throughout the following months. I was tired of spending hours thinking of all the ways I wanted to improve, only to abandon my goals by the end of January. Focusing on a word, phrase, or Bible verse for the year stopped the cycle of setting unrealistic expectations and released me from shame and guilt. I'm shaking things up as we approach the turning of a new year. Inspired by Paul's letter to the Ephesians, with its rich instruction for Christians, I decided to focus on these truths and reminders this year. Paul's primary goal in writing to the church of Ephesus was to remind them of the abundance of blessings they have received in their salvation in Christ. Paul wrote to encourage them as they seek to glorify God. The letter is filled with theological and practical implications for believers' lives, but the verses concluding the first chapter of Paul's letter stop readers in their tracks. In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul is thanking the Lord for the believers in Ephesus and offers a prayer on their behalf. Paul prays not only for spiritual wisdom but also for their hearts to be enlightened to remember what God has already done and for their faith to be strengthened as they prepare for what God will do in their lives.
Often, we struggle to see God at work in our lives, but we can stand firmly in faith by looking back on all the ways He has kept His promises. Specifically, Paul urges us to cling to God's promise to Adam and Eve in Genesis. Sin entered the world, thus separating us from God, but He will provide a way for us to be reconciled. That way was through sending his son, Jesus, as a lowly baby, his death, and resurrection so that those who believe in Him will have eternal life. Our hope is not in our present circumstances. Instead, it is in the promise that we will be with our Lord and Savior one day for all eternity! | 
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