marked by Your love

I was reading Ephesians 1 last night, and was astonished at how beautiful the concept of being marked by God is.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

When I think about conformity, it is always with the negative connotation in mind. "Do not conform to the patterns of this world", for example, is my first thought. I associate conformity with desiring status and material belongings, or falling into a regiment of blindness towards those who are on the margins of mainstream society. However, in this context, God is calling us to conform to the purpose of His will, so that we may bring Him glory. Conformity to Christ, following His chosen plan for us...that's a positive thing. When I think about being marked by grace, I think about the piercings on Jesus' hands, feet, and side. I know that what's meant in the passage is the metaphorical "mark" of the Holy Spirit, but I think that it could also be relevant to the wounds that Christ bore for us. In my decision to follow Him, I also make the decision to bear His wounds, and in that way am responsible to love what He loved and to stand up for what He stood up for. Maybe being marked by grace then, can also encompass being conscious of the wounds that Christ bore for us.

I've been listening to Relient K's Deathbed more than a couple of times these past few days...it's a 10 minute overture, and sounds like something Freddie Mercury would have been proud of. It's the story of a man on his deathbed, recounting his life and pondering his impending meeting with the Lord...the last section of the song is the sound of "Jesus" (aka Jon Foreman on guest vocals, hitting some amazing falsetto notes) singing the following:

I am the Way
Follow Me and take My hand
And I am the Truth
Embrace Me and you'll understand
And I am the Light
And for Me you'll live again
For I am Love, I am Love,
I am Love.

It's quite lovely, to say the least.