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In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will\u2014to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:5-6)

The next verb is \u201cgiven,\u201d and it has all to do with grace\u2014\u201cGrace which he has freely given us in the One he loves.\u201d \xa0In Greek, this particular word for given and the word for grace come from the same root word, which means that \u201cgiven\u201d here is really just a verb-ish way of saying grace. \xa0It\u2019s grace in action. \xa0

And in the original Greek language it comes with force, energy, and volume. \xa0We are graced by grace in such a way that we are left drenched in it, washed over by it, and transformed in the process. \xa0

Paul uses variations of the word grace all over the place. \xa0And each time it\u2019s filled with a different nuance and meaning that washes over us as we slowly come to terms with the sheer largeness of God\u2019s gracious gift of grace. \xa0

To say God is a gracious God in some way is to also say that God is a giving God. \xa0Almost the picture of a Father who enjoys spoiling His children with His Goodness. \xa0It is more than we can ask or imagine. \xa0He gives us grace in Christ\u2014the gift of a new life we didn\u2019t deserve. \xa0He graces us with spiritual gifts. \xa0He graces us with His presence and with an inheritance. \xa0So many graces to behold throughout this torrent of words in the first chapter of Ephesians. \xa0

What\u2019s that like? \xa0Well, this past Saturday, our family went hiking in the Dundas Valley. \xa0In the rain. \xa0We thought it looked to be a light misty drizzle outside. \xa0But it wasn\u2019t. \xa0Whether under the trees or under the sky, we were simply drenched. \xa0There was no place to hide from the rain that found us from above, and began flowing below in little streams toward our toes. \xa0

The water was everywhere\u2014but so was the beauty. \xa0The Fall colours were deeper and more vibrant. \xa0The sound of a million raindrops on a million leaves was powerful, but soothing. \xa0And actually\u2014with our coats on, we were not overpowered by this drenching\u2014we were refreshed. \xa0Gifts abounding in the strangest of circumstances.

So it is with God\u2019s grace. \xa0It is a powerful torrent of gifts that flows our way. \xa0It can be disorienting at first to receive such unconditional goodness at such a volume\u2014we have a hard time receiving it. \xa0It may even make us uncomfortable, worried, or afraid. \xa0But when we stop and put our hands out, open our eyes and ears in the drenching of God\u2019s grace and simply receive it\u2014the gifts slowly become apparent. \xa0We are not destroyed in this deluge, we are graced. \xa0Filled, refreshed, made new. \xa0

So: open your eyes to see the beauty\u2014your ears to hear the music. \xa0God\u2019s grace is all around you. \xa0Receive it and let your life be refreshed!

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