"...God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be the head over everything..." EPH1:22
EPHESIANS1:17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom
and revelation so that you may know him better. I pray
also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in
order that you may know the hope to which he has
called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the
the saints and his incomparably great power for us
who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty
strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him
from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the
heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power
and dominion and every title that can be given not only
in the present age but in the age to come. And God placed
all things under his feet and appointed him to be the head
over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness
of him, who fills everything in every way.
It was March 21, 2003, the opening offensive of the Gulf War II invasion and the U.S. and British Armies drove deep columns of military equipment across Southern Iraq, racing into the desert on the way to Baghdad. With the U.S. military encountering very little resistance, Americans stateside sat near their TV’s, wondering what was on the horizon-- a mass chemical or biological attack on our troops, ground ambushes or surprise air raids. Anxiety was at an all time high.
Then it happened—that ego bruising helicopter crash in Kuwait that killed eight British soldiers and four of our troops. It was the first casualty of the war on the second day of the invasion. The news media kept up with an endless loop of pictures of the crashing helicopter, burning and crumpling into pieces - violent and demoralizing, needless to say cruel once you understood the outcome of all the men onboard.
I went to bed that night, in a state of agitation and upset over the turn of events and what it meant for the families and the morale of those close to these men, as well as anyone who has seen the news loop playing over and over again. Worry is not habit of mine. I can only emphasize I must have been deeply concerned, because Jesus appeared in my mind, just above the forehead and spoke to me.
He appeared head-to-toe as a full bodied person. He said in an audible voice, “Do not be afraid. I am the Head. All things are under me.” At the time, I really didn’t know what to make of this nocturnal visitation. It wasn’t a dream, and it wasn’t a vision. Jesus looked exactly as he looks in all the representations of him-long hair and beard, flowing robes and his arms may have been open or outstretched.
Five years later I look back and think how graced I was. I have said before that our God is a God that comforts; clearly He was concerned about my state of fear. His reassurance was to say “I am the Head. All things are under me.” In other words, “do not worry, as bad as it looks, everything that happens here and in heaven is under my control, it will all work out for the good.”
In Apostle Paul’s letter above to the Ephesians, he prays that the believers at Ephesus may know the power that accompanies belief, the same power that God used when He lifted Jesus up to heaven. God works that same power in us through the Holy Spirit. Christ is raised in a position of authority at God’s right hand “far above every rule and authority, power and dominion”, and just like he told me “God placed all things und his feet…and appointed him to be the head over everything.”
For those of you who believe, my testimony is not surprising. Christ has power that he works in our daily lives. It was the third time He intervened personally with me, all times of great fear, sadness or stress. My testimony is true. My testimony is real. I pray that He will reveal himself to all believers and I pray that those who read this who might like to believe this testimony is true, but doubt it—give Jesus a chance in your life, have a little faith in that which is unseen; if what I am saying speaks to you, listen well, it might be your call.
I pray that the God of peace, which passes all understanding, gives you peace in the name of Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
