Week 7: Ascension

God's Handiwork

What is something you have created that was genuinely worthy of awe?

What have you ever crafted, formed, baked, sewn, constructed, or chiseled that was seriously impressive?

I mean, the kind of thing where you step back and go, "Wow! I can't believe I did that!"

I watch these baking shows with my wife. The things they make are incredible. They are more art than food most of the time. In the one we watched the other night, they made a pregnancy reveal cake. I didn't know there was such a thing as a pregnancy reveal, but the cakes were absolutely beyond belief. The one guy did a life-size crib made entirely of cake and chocolate! Another guy had a baby popping out of a box.

Of course, the show centers around all the work it takes to get to that point. Layer after layer of cake is baked, and chocolate is formed. Something called fondant is formed into a variety of shapes. It's elaborate and takes almost the entire day. In the end, there are always only 30 seconds left when somebody's scurrying to finish the last details. Then, after a short commercial break, there is the grand reveal, where everyone is blown away by their handiwork!

As you read today's passage, do it with this show concept in mind.

Listen to how Paul describes every step in God's crafting of his new and beautiful work of art. God doesn't use confectioner sugar, fondant, or specialty chocolate. If you pay close attention to the text, you can discover what he does use to craft his handiwork.

Note specifically the role of the ascension in this passage.

Where is it that God is doing this work?

Who is God's handiwork?

Your prayer practice is to relish God's handiwork by praising him for the work of his hands. Focus just on the handiwork that Paul expresses in this passage.