Exceedingly and Abundantly
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20
I know it’s true.
I’ve seen it happen.
I know I will see it again.
I know God is able–according to His power that is at work within me–to do so much more than I could ever ask or imagine!
So often, I fail to recognize this truth. I fail to ask for bigger things. I fail to believe He can and will do more than what I could ever imagine. I forget all the times He has shown up in big ways in the past!
I’m in this place in my life right now where God is stirring within me. I don’t know what He is up to, but I sense I need to have faith, to believe for something really big. My heart is open to what God wants to do in me, to do through me.
And these words keep ringing through my mind.
I have really struggled over the last few years with feeling like I am not where I am meant to be, that He has something more. I just don’t know how to get from where I am to where He wants me to be. Sometimes I wish I could just walk away from everything and start over. And, if that’s what God leads me–leads us–to do, I pray I have faith to be obedient. After all, I’ve been in that situation before, and He was more than faithful.
I don’t know what God is doing, what He’s going to ask of me. I don’t know if He will lead me to start over in some area of life. I don’t know if He’s going to lead me to move or change careers. Or, maybe He will lead me to just keep on keeping on.
I simply don’t know.
But one thing I do know is that change is hard. Getting out of our comfort zone is scary (to put it mildly). I think of the words to the song Voice of Truth: Oh what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes to step out of this boat I’m in, onto the crashing waves. To step out of my comfort zone into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is, and He’s holding out His hands.
As scary as it is to get out of the boat, it’s also the most amazing experience to step onto the waves and see Jesus holding out His hand. To stand on the water as the waves crash all around you. To know that you are outside the safety of the boat and that the only thing holding you steady is your Jesus. When you have no safety net to catch you but your Savior.
When He is the only thing you have and you learn that He is the only thing you ever need.
And that, my friends, is called walking by faith.
I don’t know where you are right now, but I hear God calling me to trust Him, to let Him do above and beyond all I could ever ask, hope or imagine. As I find myself praying, I find myself excited and scared all at the same time. There’s nothing better than discovering just how good and faithful our God is! There’s nothing better than seeing Him provide in miraculous ways. There’s nothing more fun than watching Him work in and around you every single day.
Will you join me in stepping out of your comfort zone and seeing Him do more than we could ever imagine?
I heard Nancy Dufresne one time in a sermon say that one time she was wondering what God had for her to do. However sometimes we are in a place of disobedience, perhaps out of neglect, maybe by accident, or we just plain missed. She said ‘so I went back to the last thing God told me to do and my life in God grew as a result of stepping into the call he had for me.’
Phil 4:6-7 “ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 11:1 “ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence..”
Proverbs 23:18 “ For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward], and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.”
A life well lived is a life lived in the fear of God, go after the mind of Christ in all things, seek his wisdom & you’ll stick the landing.
I would encourage everyone to go through the faith series of the late Lester Sumrall, such an apostle of faith! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPAVBR95ltrvDUKDyCbU9ZyJl4ZPAaoCW
Thank you, Dan! God is good, all the time! Even in the midst of unwanted and unwelcome experiences, I have seen His goodness and faithfulness. God bless!
Dena, You helped me a lot in July of 2021 when I found your article here, https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/3-beautiful-truths-every-divorced-christian-needs-to-know.html and then we emailed.
Such an encouraging word you brought to me in a really hard time when my wife left, and walking in Godly wisdom trying to decipher what the plan of God was for me. Sitting here in May of 2022 (she left May 2020), my life is completely turned around. God is so faithful to perform his word, he is trust worthy, it helps so much to read proverbs every day and gain the wisdom of God. I am always keeping track of you and your posts!
Thanks You – Dan
I knew July wasn’t right, this is the original article I found of yours, in Feb of 2021. Then I reached out to you. Glad to know you Dena! https://denajohnson.com/2021/02/02/disqualified/