“At the core of your heart, you are perfect and pure. No one and nothing can alter that.” – Amit Ray

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Listen to the PODCAST version of Today’s Contemplation by clicking HERE.

For a deeper reflection, listen to my song “Glorify You with Me” on YouTube by clicking HERE

My songs and books Mercy Reigns & Listen to Your Heart are available for purchase.

Thank you!

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Ephesians 1:11-12

In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.

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We continue today with more comforting thoughts, this time from St. Paul.

Before today’s mystical and meaning-filled verses, Paul said that God chose us, you and me, in Christ, “before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him” (Ephesians 1:4).

So that means that we, you and I, were chosen by God in Christ before the world was established, to be whole and complete before God.

Let me say that again: You and I were chosen by God in Christ before the world was established, to be whole and complete before God.

This is really, really good news!

You and I are not depraved wretches as some toxic theology espouses.

Yes, we do things that miss the mark.

Yes, we occasionally do things that are hurtful to others.

But remember, as Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

We are here in this realm to learn about love and to create in love in cooperation with God’s creative process.

Or as Jesus might have said, we are invited to take part in the coming of the kingdom of God in this time and place.

At our core, we are holy and without blemish before God.

We are human and divine, but in our humanness, we need to be reminded of this!

So, with this in mind, let us re-read today’s verses: In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.

God accomplishes all things so that we might exist for the praise of God’s glory.

Take a deep breath.

Simply be.

Our existence gives glory to God.

When we realize our connection to Christ (or the loving-life-force of the universe), when we live from that awareness, we are channels of love as well as advocates for the outcasts.

Then, we truly do exist for the praise of God’s glory.

Or, might we say, for the praise of Love’s glory?

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Listen to the song of the day “Glorify You with Me” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!