*FROM FAR TO NEAR* _By Pastor Wilberforce Bezudde_ *¹²That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ¹³But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.* - _Ephesians 2:12-13 (KJV)_ Today’s reading reminds us of who we used to be. We were once far from everything that truly mattered, far from God, far from His promises, far from hope. We were just surviving, not truly living. Our souls were empty, our paths uncertain, and our hearts restless. The Word of God tells us clearly, we were without Christ. That truth cuts deep. Without Him, we were outsiders, aliens to God’s people and strangers to His promises. We had no real hope and no direction. Even when things looked good on the outside, something was still missing on the inside. We tried to fill the void with ambition, relationships, and success, but none of those things could reach the depths of our true need. But then came Jesus. Oh, how powerful that small phrase is: *“But now in Christ Jesus…”* It changed everything. It rewrote our story. Praise God! Jesus brought us near by His blood. He didn’t just make us better, He gave us life. He didn’t just clean us up, He brought us into His family. We are no longer outsiders; we belong. We are no longer strangers; we are children of promise. We are no longer hopeless; we have a future secured in Him. _Child of God; this nearness came at a cost. The blood of Jesus was the price He paid to bring us close. That’s how much He wanted us. That’s how far He was willing to go. Now, we no longer live in the shadows of the past but in the light of God’s grace. We live as those who have been brought near to God, not because we deserved it, but because of Jesus’ sacrifice. We are part of something greater: God’s family, His covenant, and His kingdom._ Hallelujah! Jesus is Lord! *Today’s Prayer:* Thank You Jesus, for bringing me near when I was far. Thank You for including me when I was excluded. Thank You for giving me hope when I had none. Dear Holy Spirit, help me never to forget where I came from, so that I always treasure where Jesus brought me. Let my life reflect His grace and His love every single day. Amen!