Introduction
Look, there is much about life that’s complex, much about our existence that will always be shrouded in mystery. Often, when we try to simplify complex or mysterious things into easy terms, we miss the meaning altogether. We make analogies that distract rather than illuminate. Meaningful things become cliché, trite, and tired.
But sometimes an analogy can give us a handle on an idea—something that lets us hold on long enough to absorb more of the mystery and contemplate more of the complexity.
Last week, we laid out the arc of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians using The Odyssey’s theme of “finding our way home.” This week, Laura summed up part of chapter two this way: “Good works” are something we are “created for,” not something we “earn with.”
That’s a good handle right there, y’all. Let’s grab on and see what else we can find.
Grace and peace, y’all,
John Ray and the teaching team
Text:
Lord’s Prayer
Christ, who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who’ve sinned against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever. Amen.
