This has been a season of reflection as my oldest daughter graduated from high school and completed registration for her first semester of college classes.  Thinking about my children getting older on the way to work recently, the Lord reminded me of an incident that happened when our youngest was in middle school and our oldest was in high school.  Normally, the oldest “rode shotgun” by virtue of her age.  Even as they grew older, though both could ride in the front, the oldest usually did.

One afternoon, I picked up our youngest at the middle school first.  At my invitation, she slipped into the front seat.  As we drove together catching up on the day and neared the high school to pick up our oldest, I sensed some uneasiness in this one who was seated with me.  I got the sense that she was feeling anxious that her position with her father was about to be overthrown.

When we pulled into the high school, I turned to our youngest and said, “You have my blessing to be here with me.  Don’t let her intimidate you out of sitting where you are.”

When our oldest walked up to the car, she slipped into the back with a glance of disapproval and an irritated sigh.  We managed to drive on without any further non-verbal comment from the back seat.  And along the way, the one seated with me relaxed into her seat as we drove home all chatting about the events of the day.

Reflecting on that experience, the Lord reminded me of Paul’s words in Ephesians 2: “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.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do [Ephesians 2:4-10].

Just as our youngest was seated with her father, at his invitation, so we are seated with our heavenly Father through Christ Jesus, because of His great love for us.  When my daughter’s position was challenged, she remained settled because she knew she had the authority to be there.

So, let me encourage you.  If the “father of lies” has been playing head games with you, or if the “accuser of the brethren” has been pointing fingers at your past, I want to remind you of the Truth of God’s Word that through the incomparable riches of God’s grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus – you have been seated with God.  He is not embarrassed by your past, but instead, rejoices that you are His workmanship!  That gift of intimate relationship with the God who created the universe is yours!  And He will be faithful to complete that which He has begun in you!  Exhale and enjoy your Father’s embrace.

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