Ephesians Florilegium

Fall 2019 I got the opportunity to lead a women's Bible study at a church that was in partnership with my campus ministry. They were such a lovely group of women; passionate about learning and passionate about caring for each other and for their community. It really was a joy to just get to spend time with them. We read through epistle of Ephesians together, bit by bit. While we were doing that, I introduced them to the practice of florilegia.* Week by week, we each kept track of the "word flowers" that caught our eye. These are the ones that I collected over our study:

He lavished on - a spirit of wisdom and revelation.

We were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.

You who once were far off have been brought near.

Mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things - the wisdom of God in its rich variety.

You are being rooted and grounded in love - who is above all and through all and in all. For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus.

Be angry, but do not sin.

Now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light.

This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church.

As for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.

I love how this florilegium ended up being a meditation on our relationship with Christ. Inside of that, I like tracking how anger, mystery, wisdom, and "you" show up throughout the lines and are transformed by our life in Christ.

*For a more thorough explanation of this spiritual practice, see my previous post.