The Manifold Wisdom of God

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. (Eph. 3:8-13, ESV)

If I was going to show off God's wisdom, I sure wouldn't pick the church.

Creation, definitely. The intricacies of the human body, the profound beauty of a sunset, all the creatures that live beyond the human eye showing that creation is for God's pleasure and glory - obviously show God's wisdom. If Scripture said "through the creation ..." I wouldn't have blinked an eye.

But as He so loves to do, God stunned me with His Word. God's manifold wisdom is made know - through the church? Really?? Did I read that right?

But indeed, there it is preserved for all eternity - God shows His wisdom through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places! Those spiritual beings see in the church God's wisdom.

It's a stunning thought, really - and a profound one. What we do, how we respond to the struggles in our lives, the reactions we allow ourselves to demonstrate when no one is around -- are all watched from the heavenlies. We glorify God when we demonstrate His character in such situations, even when no one is watching. As "the church", we show God's wisdom when we work in His power and not our own; when we exercise spiritual gifts and work as a body where each part is needed; when we come together in unity around Christ without distinction of our racial, gender, or socio-economic differences. We may not feel like it's anything special, but from a heavenly perspective, God is being glorified in our simple acts of fellowship.

You and your support team are part of the body, the church. When you walk out together the propogation of the Gospel, when you truly see each other as parts of a whole that is needed for kingdom advancement, when your gifts strengthen and edify each other and the churches of which you are part, then God is glorified as His wisdom is made known in the heavenlies. When you personally handle those difficult people, those hard days, those disappointments, with grace and love and the fruit of the spirit, then God is glorified as His wisdom is revealed.

I'm still shocked that for all the failures of "the church", it is still God's tool to demonstrate His wisdom to heavenly beings. But I'm also encouraged and challenged, because this truth gives a new depth of meaning to every reaction, every word, every relationship. It's not about me. It's about glorifying God for His wisdom.

And all heaven is watching.