Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

This week, we’re shifting gears into the book of Ephesians. Paul opens this letter the way people of his time often wrote—he introduces himself, shares his credentials, offers a greeting, gives a blessing, and then dives into the body of his message. But from the very beginning, Paul sets the tone. He’s writing to encourage the believers in Ephesus (and us too!) to walk in the spiritual blessings we’ve already been given in Christ—grace, kindness, wisdom, and understanding. And then he points to the greatest gift of all: the Holy Spirit.

Now, let me ask you—if I were to ask what’s most important in our faith, what would you say? Most of us would quickly respond, “Jesus.” And you’d be right. What Jesus did on the cross is the foundation of everything we believe. His blood poured out for us, His victory over sin and death through His resurrection on the third day—that is the greatest truth of all. Without it, we would have no hope.

But then something happens that we sometimes overlook. Jesus ascends into heaven after promising the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8–9). And the Holy Spirit comes down—not just to be near us, but to live in us (Acts 2:1–4). Jesus sits down at the right hand of the Father because His earthly mission is complete (Hebrews 10:12). And the Spirit of Christ Himself now takes up residence in every believer, equipping us to live as His reflection here on earth.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1: we were chosen and predestined by God—not as an accident, not as an afterthought, but with intentionality and love. Each of us has been adopted into His family for a purpose (Ephesians 1:5). I know that word “predestined” can throw us off, because we tend to hear it as “some are chosen, and some are not.” But that’s not Paul’s point. God’s desire is that all would come to know Him (2 Peter 3:9). The real difference isn’t in who God chooses—it’s in who chooses God. He’s already chosen us, but He leaves the response to us.

That means you are not a mistake. You are not overlooked. You are not forgotten. You are a chosen vessel, designed to display God’s glory and grace in a way that only you can (Ephesians 2:10). And here’s the good news: God doesn’t call the equipped—He equips the called.

Think about the examples of surrender we see throughout Scripture:

• Abraham left his home and family to follow God’s call to a land he had never seen (Genesis 12:1–4).
• Moses gave up his comfortable life in Midian to lead God’s people out of slavery, even though he felt completely inadequate (Exodus 3–4).
• Mary, the mother of Jesus, said, “I am the Lord’s servant… may your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38), surrendering her entire future to God’s plan.
• Paul himself surrendered his entire life—his reputation, career, safety, and freedom—so that the gospel could go forward (Philippians 3:7–8).

Every one of them had to make the same decision you and I face: Will I surrender my will to God’s will? And when they did, God showed up. Abraham became the father of nations. Moses saw God split the sea. Mary held the Savior in her arms. Paul brought the gospel to the Gentiles. Their surrender unlocked their purpose.

So let me challenge you today: Have you truly chosen Him back? Have you surrendered your will so that His purpose can unfold in your life? Because when you step into His plan, He doesn’t just give you a task—He gives you the power, the wisdom, and the Spirit to live it out (Ephesians 1:13–14; 1 Peter 1:3).

God has already chosen you. Now the choice is yours. Will you choose Him today? Will you surrender your plans, your comfort, even your control, so He can equip you for the life He’s called you to?

This is where Paul starts his letter—reminding us of who we are in Christ and what we’ve been given. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to walk through Ephesians together, chapter by chapter, uncovering what it means to live as God’s chosen people. We’ll talk about grace, unity, spiritual gifts, relationships, and the armor of God. But it all begins right here: chosen, adopted, redeemed, and sealed with the Spirit.

So before we go any further, pause and sit with this truth: you are chosen. You are equipped. You have a purpose.

The question is—will you live like it?