Camp Cocoon
Our weekend bereavement camp for kids will be held Aug. 1-3, 2025, in beautiful Tallulah Falls, Ga. Applications are now being accepted for campers and adult volunteers.
The Spirit of Wisdom: Reflections on Ephesians 1:15-19
By Chaplain Jeremy Carr
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
– Ephesians 1:15-19
When I was a kid I liked to read the “choose your own adventure” books. These books were typically action or mystery stories that would allow the reader to make decisions at the end of a page, prompting what page to turn to next. Sometimes I would choose the “unwise” option just to see what would happen next! These books could be read over and over, making different choices each time, resulting in a new and exciting story.
In life, we are faced with decisions every day. Some decisions are big (like marriage and career), and other decisions are small (like choosing which restaurant to go to for lunch today). As people of faith, our lives are to be characterized by wisdom, applying knowledge in order to live well and bless others.
In Ephesians 1:15-19, the apostle Paul prays for “the Spirit of wisdom” for the Christian community in Ephesus. We see the good news that God the Father gives us His Holy Spirit who enlightens our hearts to know Jesus Christ. This wisdom is expressed in knowledge and revelation, faith and love, and hope and power.
Knowledge and revelation: Wisdom is not something you do, it is someone you have:
the Holy Spirit dwelling in you and with you manifests deeper knowledge and revelation of Jesus Christ. This is expressed through worship of God.
Faith and love: the Holy Spirit dwelling in you and with you manifests deeper faith in Jesus Christ and love for His people. Faith is not just belief in propositional ideas, but ongoing relational trust in Christ. Faith fuels love, and this love is personal, but is also expressed in relationships with others and care for the communities around us.
Hope and power: our motivations, decisions, and strength are all fueled by the Spirit of wisdom. The Spirit of wisdom allows us to have gracious influence on those around us and impact eternity.
How is “the Spirit of wisdom” expressed in your life? How has your faith grown and changed? What practical steps do you need to take to foster wisdom personally and in community with others? Recount your personal journey of faith, and may we grow in The Spirit of wisdom together.
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