Picking up in Ephesians chapter 3, Pastor Nicole encouraged us with treasure from the text that helps us to run and finish our race well.

God's plan is bigger than we think and it includes you and me...His plan is us in our race.

God's eternal plan was to create one new family in Christ from every nation. This was His purpose from before time. God is always working on a larger story than we can see, and our life is part of something eternal, not random.

The church is a living display of God's wisdom (redemption plan) in all those running the race.

Through the unity of believers, God shows His multi-faceted wisdom (even to the spiritual realm.) How we run our race reveals God to the world (and beyond.)

Spiritual strength for the race comes from the inside. Paul didn't pray for easier lives for the Ephesians, he prayed for inner strength through the Holy Spirit; Christ in us; Roots deep in God's love. Our growth happens by being filled, not by striving harder. Lasting strength is spiritual, not circumstantial. We live abundantly from God's power within.

Christ's love is the foundation and goal of our race. Paul prays we would grasp the width, length, height, and depth of Christ's love - a love that surpasses knowledge. This love stabilizes us defines us, and fills us with God's fullness.

The Christian life is not mainly about doing more for God - it's about living deeply rooted in His love and then partnering with Him in what He is doing.

God's eternal, multi-layered rescue plan is now revealed in Christ displayed through the united church, rooted in Christ's limitless love, and empowered by God's strength working in us.