Frederickson Blog

Happy New Year!

It is so exciting to begin January together as we hit the ground running after a refreshing Christmas and New Year’s break. This month, we turn the page in Ephesians to chapter 4, a chapter that marks the beginning of our story. If you’re someone who enjoys setting New Year’s resolutions, my hope is that this chapter inspires you.

From September through December, we walked through Ephesians chapters 1–3, where we learned God’s story: the gospel story. We discovered who we are in Christ because of who He is, what He has done for us, and how we are called to be rooted and established in His love. Now, in chapter 4, we begin learning how to live that truth out as followers of Christ.

Paul opens Ephesians 4 by saying, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” From behind prison bars, Paul urges believers to live in a way that reflects God’s calling and purpose. That calling begins with unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. In a world where differences often divide us, God invites us to see our differences as gifts meant to unite us.

One image I love is that of a puzzle. Each of us is a unique piece in God’s masterpiece: different cultures, ethnicities, experiences, passions, strengths, and backgrounds. It can be challenging to engage with people who are very different from us, but I’m always humbled when I remember that I am simply one piece of the puzzle, just as others are. Together, we form God’s complete design, unified in Him and working for His greater purpose.

Jesus secured unity through His death on the cross, bringing Jew and Gentile together into one family. Today, that family includes people from every background, and through Christ, we are united as one. From this foundation of unity, Paul gives us practical guidance for Christian living in Ephesians 4. He challenges us to move:

• From anger to peace (Ephesians 4:25–27)
• From stealing to generosity (Ephesians 4:28)
• From unwholesome talk to encouragement (Ephesians 4:29)
• From bitterness and revenge to forgiveness (Ephesians 4:31–32)

As we turn away from anger, selfishness, gossip, and resentment, we draw closer to Jesus. When we draw closer to Jesus, we draw closer to one another.

I’m encouraged that we can see this unity at work across our district. Each day we begin in prayer, encourage one another as followers of Christ, gather for chapel, and watch students continue to grow in their faith. These rhythms remind us that unity in Christ is not just something we talk about; it’s something we live out together.

Here are more beautiful examples of the unity I’ve witnessed at CCS recently:

• In choir performances, students sing different parts and harmonies, contributing their unique talents to create one beautiful song.
• In basketball games, players have different positions and must use their individual strengths to work together as a team.
• In the high school multicultural club, students gather to celebrate the diversity of God’s creation, learning from different cultures and perspectives as they grow together as the body of Christ.

Unity is a beautiful gift from God, and the best part is we don’t have to create it ourselves. God has already established unity through His Spirit. Our calling is to recognize it, cultivate it, and protect it.

My prayer for you this month, as you set goals and seek God, is that you would be aware of the unity Jesus has already given us and that you would actively pursue it as you lean into the calling God has placed on your life.

RightNow Media Recommendations:

Ephesians 4 – The Book of Ephesians, session 5:

https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/player/video/195647?session=202598&position=0

Ephesians 4 – Intro for Kids: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/player/video/257963?session=266483&position=0 

Greetings, Cascade Christian Community, 

Our spiritual theme focus for the month of December (Called to be Rooted and Established) interfaces well with the four elements of Advent, which are peace, hope, joy, and love. While my hope is that we all experience an extra measure of all four elements of Advent this Christmas season, I want to focus in this moment on the element of peace.

Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) says, “‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” In this passage, God promises that He will not remove His covenant of peace. The key phrase is “God promises.” In other words, we know God’s peace is something we can count on.

Flipping over to Romans 12:18, we read that as much as it depends on us, we are called to “live at peace with everyone.” The key phrase in this passage is “as much as it depends on us.” In every situation that involves human interaction, we have the ability to extend peace to those we interact with. It is something we have a choice in.

My prayer for all of us this Christmas season is that we would respond to the promise of God’s peace by being intentional about living at peace with those around us, including the people we know well and the people we encounter randomly along the way. Maybe that means being the first to say, “I’m sorry,” or letting someone go in front of us in a line that is already very long, or one of many other opportunities we have daily to live at peace with others.

Praying God’s best for you in this Christmas season,

Ken