I pray that . . . he may strengthen you . . . so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

— Ephesians 3:16-17

A mother and her two young children went to visit an older woman from their church. She greeted them warmly and invited them to sit at her table for refreshments. The children soon noticed a large jar of jelly beans at the center of the table. It was hard not to stare at the delightful treat when it was so close. The older woman smiled and said, “Would you like one?”

Immediately both children nodded, and the little girl reached in ever so politely and took one jelly bean—red, her favorite color. She seemed pleased until she saw her brother reach into the jar and grab a handful of jelly beans. Then she wished she had done the same.

In Ephesians the apostle Paul is asking us to imagine going deeper than the polite relationship we may tend to have with Jesus. Christ wants us to live fully. He wants us to be able to settle in and feel at home in our relationship with him. He wants us to know how much he loves and cares for us—and that will change how we live out our faith each day. He wants us to be grounded in the truth of his love so that we are not afraid to access all the power and strength he has for us.

No matter what our circumstances are, Christ is always offering all of himself for us. Today is a good day to stretch our faith and our imagination to find all of the “flavors” Christ is offering.

Dear God, give me the strength and courage to do more than sit politely with you. Fill my heart with your life and power to glorify you. Amen.