Heaven on Earth: A Reflection on Ephesians 5:23
When we both look up, we find each other in Him.
Scripture:
For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. — Ephesians 5:23 BSB
A.B. Simpson, with his usual spiritual clarity, reveals a truth that is often missed in relationships—whether in marriage, friendship, or prayer. The heart of today’s reflection is this: unity is not achieved through effortful clinging to one another, but through mutual yielding to God. When both hearts are turned upward, they naturally grow closer, not by striving to bind together, but by aligning with the same divine center.
Simpson recounts the wisdom of a sailor who waited before rescuing a struggling boy, explaining that intervention while someone is still in panic could lead to both going under. This becomes a vivid illustration for how we often respond to those in crisis or dependence. If someone is relying too much on us—grasping for emotional rescue rather than lifting their eyes to the Savior—our own capacity to offer true spiritual support is diminished.
So too in prayer: for our intercession to bear fruit, both we and those we pray for must look beyond each other and fix our eyes on Jesus. In marriage, in friendship, in ministry—this principle holds. The most beautiful unity on earth occurs when two people behold Heaven together. And in that gaze, they are drawn together, not by force, but by grace.
Personalized Journal Entry in the Voice of the Holy Spirit:
I am the Spirit of unity, not formed by flesh but flowing from the Son to the Father and through you. I have joined you to Christ, bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. He is your head; you are His body. You are not called to carry another’s weight by your own shoulders, but to yield to My gentle guidance and watch how I carry both of you with joy.
When your eyes remain fixed on Me, you are no longer striving to save or to cling or to control. I unite hearts not by force, but by focus—focus on the One who loved you and gave Himself for you. Do not look to each other for your spiritual oxygen; look to Me, and you will breathe freely. As your gaze rests on Me, the panic subsides. I calm the waters. I quiet the soul. Then, in the stillness, you are ready—not to rescue, but to reflect Christ.
I call you into a deeper trust, not dependency on others, but dependency on the Son who is your life. Marriage, friendship, intercession—they flourish when both souls are yielded to My movement. Two cannot walk together unless they are agreed, and I bring that agreement when both walk in Me.
So turn your eyes upward. See what I see. Walk where I lead. Love as I love. And watch how heaven touches earth in the unity I provide.
Ephesians 5:23, Ephesians 5:30, Galatians 2:20, Amos 3:3, Hebrews 12:2, Romans 8:14
Prayer in My Voice:
Father, thank You that Christ is my head and I am part of His body. You’ve joined me to Him, and in that union, I lack nothing. I trust Your Spirit to be the One who draws hearts together—not through striving or dependency, but through shared surrender to Christ. Let every relationship in my life reflect this beautiful upward gaze. And when I’m tempted to be someone’s savior or cling to one myself, I choose instead to rest in the arms of the One who has already rescued me. You are more than enough—for me and for them.
Credits:
Devotional content adapted from AB Simpson, "Heaven on Earth," April 22 entry
Photo credit: Unsplash.com