"Promised... to the praise of his glory."

"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully.  I ask for patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy, and gentleness.  I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, cynicism, discouragement, and self-importance.  I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."

Ephesians 1:11-14

¹¹In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, ¹²so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. ¹³In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; ¹⁴this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

1) "...set our hope on Christ;" "...live for the praise of his glory;" "...marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;" "...inheritance... as God's own people;" "...praise of his glory;" "...obtained an inheritance;" "...destined;" "...accomplishes all things according to his counsel;" "...hope on Christ;"

2) Is our hope set on Christ?  Or is it set on this action plan, or that fundraiser, or this prescription, or that job, or this diet, or this exercise program, or that minister, or this psychotherapeutic method, or that 12 step program, or this support group, or this building development, or... or... or... It is so easy to put my hope in some work, rather than remember that hope is in Christ Jesus.  The work is necessary so we do it.  But the work may or may not be effective.  So we do the most effective work we can.  And that requires constant discernment and assessment.  But hope.  Hope is set on Christ.  We set our hope on Christ, then work our program, our action plan, our fundraiser...

3) What is the invitation in all this?  In light of my "constant companions," I need to continue to discern and work towards amends and reconciliation, but also, remember that hope is set on Christ Jesus, not my work.  That's a good thing.  What is impossible for the rest of us, is possible for Christ.

"Holy One, keep my hope set on you. that I might live for the praise of your glory."

Breathprayer: "Promised... to the praise of his glory."