God has a big dream. God intends to restore our world to total wholeness (cf. Revelation 21:1-5). Apparently, God in divine wisdom knows that faithful human followers are the best instrument for carrying out that mission. The letter to the Ephesians said God intends to show his wisdom and glory chiefly through the church! That’s why our lives, and our buildings and ministries as tools for carrying out the mission, matter so much.

• The Greek word translated “the many different varieties of his wisdom” in verse 10 was“polupoikilos.” It meant “many colored” —as though Paul was picturing God’s grace and wisdom as a kind of cosmic rainbow. In what ways have God’s grace and wisdom added color and beauty to your life? How can you help your church reflect that beauty to all who come in contact with it?
• Reflect on verse 20: “Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask for or imagine by his power at work within us.” Do you believe that God can really do far more than we can ask or imagine? If not, what holds you back from that belief? What God-sized hopes, hurts, dreams and challenges can you identify, trusting that God’s mission can go to work in and through them, through you?