A Christmas Wish List – A Revelation of your Inheritance

My good friend Nick is a serious road biker and way back when I was in seminary and he was in medical school he got me hooked. Recently he came out to visit his parents in Colorado and they invited Patty and I over for dinner, as soon as we arrived he escorted me to the garage and told me he had a surprise. My mouth hit the floor in shock as he presented to me one of his racing bikes- red ribbon and all. This is no ordinary bike; it has all the best components and is so incredibly light I can easily curl it with one arm. I quickly took it for a short spin and laughed in amazement, as I was totally caught off guard with such a gift!

That night the black, racing bike, made it into our home and found a nice warm place in my office. I’m itching to get on it except for the fact that winter hit hard and cold in Colorado. So I get up in the morning drink my cup of coffee, have my devotions, and glance over at the bike every now and contemplate the day when spring arrives and I can actually get on the saddle and see what she’s really like.

I know you are thinking what does this have to do with the Christmas Wish List and the three prayers from Ephesians 1:15-23? I’m glad you asked, check out verse 18, the second prayer request by Paul for the believers in Ephesus:

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, in the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.

The great apostle is praying that the followers of Christ would have the spiritual eyes to see their “glorious inheritance” that belongs to them. In Christ we are rich, we inherit a Kingdom as Peter says “that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). So Paul is praying for us to have a living hope, which is mindful of the glorious future around the corner when Christ returns again.

Back to the bike! Everyday I see it propped up against the wall and I find myself day dreaming of when it will be sunny and 70 degrees and I’m flying around the reservoir. I can picture myself gliding around on this awesome new ride with ease, and looking pretty cool :). Spiritually speaking our Good Father has given us the Holy Spirit, who Paul says is “the deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession,” (Eph. 1:14). The Holy Spirit points me to the promises of the Father, He makes the Word come alive and I can see glimpses with my spiritual eyes what is ahead. Even when things are spiritually dark and cloudy, I have the “guarantee” of the Spirit showing me the eternal Son and the glory of His coming Kingdom, where I will ride with Him for all eternity.

As I view the bike in my office, I get excited for the day when Spring will come and I can peddle to my hearts content, so too the Holy Spirit gives us glimpses of the most glorious day to come, when we will inherit and live in the eternal Kingdom of God.

My Christmas prayer for you is that you might be filled with an overflowing hope as the Holy Spirit gives you a revelation of your “glorious inheritance” that will soon be yours.