“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. – Ephesians 3:12
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it must have been like for people back in the days of the Old Covenant. Imagine heading to the tabernacle, your heart desperately longing to connect with God, to pour out your fears or your gratitude. But there’s this huge heavy curtain, this barrier, standing in your way. Only the priests could slip past it, and even then – it wasn’t whenever they felt like it – just specific times. And of course – with all of the required rituals. It’s hard to wrap my mind around that kind of distance, that sense of being kept at arm’s length from the God who made you. Imagine having that kind of experience today at the church you attend. It certainly wouldn’t feel like church, would it.
Then Jesus comes along, and everything changes. I can still picture it – the moment He took His last breath on that cross, the temple curtain tearing top to bottom. No more separation. No more “only some can enter.” That rip wasn’t just fabric splitting… it was God saying, “Come close. You’re mine.” And now, because of Jesus, Paul tells me in Ephesians 3:12 that I can approach Him with freedom and confidence. Me! Not because I’ve done anything to earn it, but because Jesus paid for it with His life.
It hits me sometimes just how incredible this is. I don’t have to wait for the right day or hope someone else will speak to God for me. I can just… go to Him. Anytime. Anywhere. With all my mess, my questions, my thanks… He’s there, listening. But do I really get how big of a deal this is? I have to admit that some days I treat it far too casually. Like it’s just a little bonus that comes with the package, you know? Like those free samples at Costco that I grab without even thinking about it. But this access to God isn’t cheap or ordinary – it cost Jesus everything.
So today, I’m gonna sit with that. I’m asking myself: Am I taking full advantage of this wonderful gift? Am I running to Him with the boldness He’s given me, or am I holding back, distracted by other things? I don’t want to miss out on what He died to give me – this wide-open door to His presence. Maybe you feel that tug too.
Let’s not let this incredible privilege gather dust, shall we? Let’s step into it freely and confidently, knowing that there is no separating us from the God who loves us.
Former Blackout Artist 