A reminder for me....

I love Ephesians 3:20.

It stuck in my head one time, a looong time ago.

I was attending a church with one of those suit wearing, leather Bible carrying pastors from the South. You know the pastor that gets a little fired up when he's preaching? Always moving around on the stage/in the pulpit. Looking right at ya. Sometimes hollerin'. Usually getting red in the face-he's so on fire with what he is saying-the kind that makes you wanna yell "PREACH IT BROTHER!!" even though you wouldn't dare? (or at least I wouldn't dare) LOL.


I loved that man's preachin'. He could get me fired up. And this is one of those times when he did just that. The passage is from Ephesians chapter 3, and it's verse 20 that is forever ingrained in my head and my heart.

Here it is in several different versions.

New King James:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,


New Living Translation:

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.


New International Version:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,


English Standard Version:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,


New American Standard Bible:

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

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I think that I like this verse so much because it is a good reminder. It helps me to get God out of the box I have a tendency to (sometimes) put Him in.

And, because I have a pretty vivid imagination. I'm one of those people who prefers to read a book rather than see the movie because it is always, somehow, better in the book (and therefore in my head/imagination) than the movie. I picture the way the people in the book look. I can smell the smells, feel the feelings-imagine the entire thing-a movie of my own making, with help from the author. If I've read the book, you can pretty much put money on the fact that I will be disappointed in the movie.


And this verse reminds me that although I can imagine some pretty great stuff. Our God is able to do much much more than I can imagine, think or ask.

Exceedingly more.

Abundantly more.

Immeasureably more.

Infinitely more.

Wow.


I.

Can.

Imagine.

Some.

Pretty.

Great.

Awesome.

Wonderful.

Terrific.

Stuff.

Really.

I.

Can.

In fact, I have even been a part of some really great, awesome, wonderful, terrific things in life.

Moments when the world seems as it should be-all is right with the world.

My family is all together.

Or enjoying the breathtaking beauty of God's Creation

whether that be a newborn baby

or the vastness of the ocean

or the quiet coolness of a mountain breeze

or the gift of an awesome meal

or watching a reunion between a mom and her adopted child

or watching children I've grown to love come home to their forever families

or a moment of tender loving care

or a piece of dark chocolate ;-)

or a moment of Peace

or a moment of helping someone see and understand and feel the depth of God's love for them

or a teachable moment where I see a child GET something-really GET it, understand it and learn it.

Or __________________ you fill in the blank.

I could go on and on.


Little bits of heaven on earth.


And God can do MORE than that.


WAAAAY more than that.

Wow.

Lord, thank you for reminding me WHO YOU ARE.

Please forgive me for sometimes putting you in a box.

Please help me to see what you see-give me your eyes as the (Brandon Heath) song goes.

Help me to do your will, to play my part in your plan-whatever that may be.

Thank you for adopting me into your family.

Thank you for allowing us to take part in this Adoption Adventure.

Help me to keep my eyes on You and not on my problems or perceived obstacles, while we journey together so that I may be an encouragement to others and bring GLORY TO YOU.

Help me to stay surrendered to Your will and to submit this entire Adoption Adventure to You. After all, those children belong to You, not to me.

Thank you for the abundant blessings you have already given me, I am grateful.

Humbled.

and.

Awed.