Ephesians: A 10-Day Reading PlanSample

You Can Change Someone's Day Today

Imagine yourself walking into your favorite coffee shop. The barista greets you by name and starts making your drink before you even order. That feeling of being known, of being cared for personally; that’ll change the way you approach your day.

In Ephesians 2:10, Paul writes that God created each of us to fulfill a plan and purpose. The same way the barista was ready and waiting for you to step into the coffee shop, God is prepped and ready for us to step into the “good works He’s prepared in advance for us to do." 

Think about that. God had a plan and purpose for your life before you had a relationship with Him. The Message paraphrases it this way: "God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work He does, the good work He has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing" (Ephesians 2:9-10). 

Serving others isn't about earning God's favor or paying Him back for our salvation. It's a way to discover how God made us and to join Him in changing the world. 

When we say ‘yes’ to fulfilling God’s plan and purpose for our lives, we move from consumer to server. We step behind the counter, rubbing shoulders with our heavenly Father as we learn to see the world the way He does. And pretty soon, we find we're just like the barista — getting joy from caring for others the way God cares us.

Reflect:

• Think about the last time someone went out of their way to prepare an experience for you. How did it make you feel? Does it change your view of serving to know that God has prepared you for this all along?
• Are you serving in the church? What’s your favorite part of what you get to do? If you’re not serving, why not?