Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

Have you ever thought about the “before” and “after” of your life—the moments that divide who you were from who you’ve become in Christ? The Bible draws this line clearly in Ephesians 2:1–10. Paul doesn’t shy away from telling us the hard truth: there was a time when we were dead. Dead in our sins. Dead in our trespasses. Dead in the ways of the world. And that wasn’t just a little spiritual nap—it was a total separation from the life of God, a state of being under the influence of the enemy, living to please ourselves, chasing after what the world promised but could never deliver.

But then… God.

Yes, God. That two-letter word changes everything. God, in His love, mercy, and wisdom, had a plan to rescue us. He didn’t leave us in that dead place. He sent Jesus. And through faith in Him, our story—your story—transforms completely.

Before Christ, we were living lives aimed at satisfying our own desires. Our nature, apart from God, was to pursue what pleased us, not what honored Him. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:2 that we “followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,” a clear reminder that our life before Christ was under the influence of Satan. Our choices, our motives, our actions—they were all tangled in self, sin, and temporary satisfaction. We were dead.

But here’s the beauty of God’s plan: in verse 4, Paul writes, “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.” God didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up, He didn’t wait for us to prove our worth. He acted first. He loved us first. He reached down and breathed life into our dead souls.

And when we respond in faith, everything changes. It’s not just a surface-level change. It’s not about putting on a new outfit or trying harder to be good. It’s about a complete transformation of identity. When you invite Jesus into your life, you are no longer dead—you are alive. You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your core, your very being, is renewed. Your desires change. You start longing for God, for His presence, and for a life that reflects His glory rather than your own.

Think about it this way: have you ever been influenced by someone remarkable, someone you looked up to and whose words or actions changed the way you saw the world? Years ago, I had the privilege of participating in a group coaching session with John Maxwell. I didn’t meet him one-on-one. I didn’t even spend days under his mentorship. But the things he taught me in that group forever altered the way I lead. Now imagine not just being influenced by a person, but being known personally by God Himself. Imagine being in conversation with the Creator, the King, the Lord of Heaven, every single day. If a brief mentoring session with a human can change your life, how much more will an intimate relationship with Jesus transform you from the inside out?

That’s the power of the gospel. It doesn’t just touch our behavior; it touches our hearts. Our minds. Our desires. It redefines who we are at the core. We go from being slaves to sin to being children of God, called by name and seated in heavenly places with Christ.

Yes, seated. That’s the positional truth of Ephesians 2:6: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” Let that sink in for a moment. You are not at the mercy of the circumstances around you. You are not a victim of the world’s chaos. You are seated with Christ, at His right hand, in a place of authority and power.

Authority. That word carries weight. It’s not just a spiritual buzzword. Authority means you can walk in victory. Authority means that you are not bound by defeat. Authority means that the spiritual position you have in Christ gives you influence over your world, your circumstances, and the schemes of the enemy. Jesus didn’t just die and rise for salvation; He died, rose, and ascended so that we could share in His authority.

Matthew 16:19 says it this way: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” That’s real authority. That’s the power to see God’s will done in your life, in your family, and in your community. That’s the promise that, in Christ, we are not left powerless.

And it doesn’t stop there. Verse 10 reminds us that we are God’s workmanship, His masterpiece. The Greek word for “workmanship” here is poiēma, from which we get the English word “poem.” A poem is crafted with care, intention, and skill. Every line, every word, every pause is intentional. And that’s how God views you. Every detail of your life, your talents, your personality, your story—they are all part of His masterpiece.

Have you ever stood before a breathtaking sunset or gazed at a painting that moved you to tears? That’s a glimpse of God’s artistry, but here’s the thing: He created something even more beautiful than any sunset. He created you. His fingerprints are on you—every curve, every strength, every weakness, every story of redemption. Stephen Curtis Chapman sings about this in his song Fingerprints, reminding us that God has left His mark on each of us. That’s not just poetic; it’s profoundly true. You are designed, molded, and crafted by God Himself. You are not an accident, a coincidence, or a product of circumstance. You were planned. Before you were ever born, God knew you. Before the foundation of the world, He created a purpose for your life.

And that purpose is good. It’s not trivial. It’s not small. Ephesians 2:10 says that God created us to do good works, works that He prepared in advance for us to do. Think about that for a second. The Creator of the universe has set aside a place for you to make a difference. You are not wandering aimlessly. You are not drifting. You were made for a mission.

So what does that look like practically? It means that your life is no longer defined by your past. Your mistakes, your regrets, your failures—they are not who you are. The old life, the life enslaved by sin, is over. You are alive. You are free. You are seated with Christ, a position that comes with authority, dignity, and purpose.

It also means that you are responsible. You have a role in God’s plan. You are called to walk in the good works that He prepared for you. And that can feel daunting sometimes, I know. I’ve been there. The weight of responsibility, the pressure to live up to a calling, can feel heavy. But here’s the secret: it’s not about trying harder on your own. It’s about walking in step with the Spirit, allowing God to work through you, and trusting that His power, not your effort, accomplishes His purposes.

I want to challenge you today: step fully into your identity in Christ. Don’t settle for a shallow, surface-level faith that leaves you timid and defeated. Embrace who you are now: a child of God, alive in Christ, seated with Him in authority. Walk in the reality that what was once impossible is now possible through Him. What was once a life of aimless pursuit is now a life of purpose, designed by the Creator Himself.

And let your life reflect it. Let your relationships, your work, your passions, your words, and your actions all point to the truth that you are God’s masterpiece. When the world sees you, they should see evidence of His fingerprints. They should see someone whose life has been transformed by an encounter with Jesus, whose identity has been restored, whose authority has been claimed.

Your “before” life was marked by death, sin, and separation. But your “after” life is marked by life, love, and authority. The power of God’s grace changes everything. It redeems your past, empowers your present, and secures your future.

So, don’t be afraid to step into the fullness of who God made you to be. Don’t shrink back from the authority He’s given you. Don’t settle for anything less than the abundant life He promises. The same God who raised Christ from the dead lives in you, and His power works in and through you.

Take a moment today to reflect: what does it mean for you to be seated with Christ? How does it change the way you live, love, and lead? How can you walk out the good works God prepared for you with boldness, confidence, and joy?

Your story didn’t end in death. It began with life. It began with God. And it continues with purpose. Step into it. Live it. Reflect it. And let the world see the fingerprints of God in your life