Confidence
“He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.”
Confidence
Recently I have taken up the sport of my youth, tennis. There was a day long long ago I thought tennis was going to be my future...a rising tennis pro or more than likely a tennis coach. Obviously that didn’t pan out, but tennis offered and afforded me so much great memories and learnings I wouldn’t wish for a different outcome.
As a tennis player, confidence is critical. Actually in just about any sport a solid and confident mind can make or break you. This past weekend I played doubles in a tennis tournament, and our second round match was a disaster. My nerves were high and my confidence was shaken. Since my confidence was low, nothing was working well, forehands, backhands, serves - nothing was clicking. We were down two breaks and our opponents best player was serving for the first set. I took a deep breath, rested in my spirit and settled down. One good return of serve for a winner built a little confidence, my partner did the same and a second level of confidence built. One little step after another and my confidence returned and thats all we needed. After the return of serve winner, we only lost 1 more game the entire match. And actually, after that shot of confidence came, we only lost a total of 5 games the rest of the tournament.
Confidence. I am sure you know the feeling when you have it, and when you don’t. As for that tennis match and tournament, it felt really good to get it together and win the first tournament I played in in 27 years. But, who really cares about that kind of confidence. What would life look like if we could have a God sized and shaped confidence as we navigate life? If we could step into our role as husband, father, leader, friend with a Holy Spirit driven confidence. If you are a Christ follower, THIS CONFIDENCE is available and has been afforded to you as a, and to me right now!
Ephesians chapter 1 is a beautiful picture that breaths God confidence into our lives. So much more powerful and meaningful that a forehand winner...this is a message from Paul to you, and to I as Christ followers that is a boost of confidence.
“Dear friends, My name is Paul, and I was chosen by God to be an apostle of Jesus, the Messiah. I’m writing this letter to all the devoted believers who have been made holy by being one with Jesus, the Anointed One. May God himself, the heavenly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, release grace over you and impart total well-being into your lives. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts! And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence. For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace—for the same love he has for his Beloved One, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure!”
- Ephesians 1:1-6 TPT
As you walk into your day, may you know you have been called, chosen, set apart and ordained by our creator, God. God through the Holy Sprit has released grace over you and has spoken well of you. Today walk with your head up, spirits high, and full of God spoken confidence because you are loved by Him and are his prized possession!