Sometimes you need to take inventory. It’s needed in the business world . . . I have a big project to do, do I have the resources? It’s needed in battle . . . what military assets are at my disposal? It’s needed in long distance running . . . have I taken in enough calories and water to make the distance? It’s needed in long distance driving . . . how much gas do I have in the tank? And, for me at least, it’s needed in trying to do life in a way that’s consistent with my profession as a follower of Christ and in a way that’s pleasing to my Lord.

Frankly, there are times when I worry that I’m running on empty . . . times when I wonder if I can sustain it. Ephesians 1, in my mind, is the perfect inventory for such times. Every time I read Ephesians, it’s a like reunion which ends in revival . . . like coffee with a good friend, always ending in encouragement and renewal. It’s a reminder of the heavenly account that’s been set up in my name . . . a reminder of the vast implications of being “in Him” . . . a reminder of the “glorious grace with which He has blessed us in the Beloved” and the “riches of His grace which He lavished upon us” (v.6, 8).

And the extent of such grace is captured in one glorious promise . . . one beyond-comprehension truth . . . one out-of-this-world inventory . . .

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places . . .    
(Ephesians 1:3 ESV)

Break it down. What am I to do? Bless God. How come? Because He has blessed me in Christ. With what? Every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies.

Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him . . . predestined for adoption as sons through Christ . . . having been redeemed through His blood and knowing the forgiveness of our trespasses . . . part of a plan for the fullness of times when all things will be united in Him . . . having obtained an inheritance . . . predestined according to the Sovereign purposes of the God who works all things according to the counsel of His will . . . sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, the guarantee of the inheritance which one day we will possess (1:1-14).

That, my friends, is just a sampling of the spiritual bounty that is the child of God’s . . . just a high level cut at our inventory . . . a quick reminder of what it is we have to draw on . . . an insight as to what is in the storehouse for the child of God, the possessor of every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Not just some . . . not just a few . . . not just most of them . . . but EVERY spiritual blessing. Blessings not sourced in positive thinking . . . or disciplined living . . . but flowing from heaven itself . . . streamed from the living water before the throne of God . . . poured out on those He as brought into relationship with Himself.

Sometimes I need to take inventory. And it’s not the stuff that’s earth-resident that’s going to make the difference. And it’s not about what I bring to the game . . . not about my capabilities . . . not about my smarts . . . not about my power. But it’s about who I am in Christ . . . and what I possess in Him. That’s the inventory that makes the difference . . . that’s the storehouse to draw upon. The riches of His glorious grace . . . lavished on us . . . sourced in heavenly places . . . to be drawn on for earthly purposes.

And all for the praise of His glory . . .