A Shift in Perspective

Scripture:

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)

Reading:

“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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20–21)

I’m so thankful for that little word “now” at the beginning of this passage. It connects Paul’s previous prayer for believers to be strengthened spiritually, for Christ to dwell in our hearts through faith, and for us to comprehend the vastness of His love for us (Ephesians 3:14–19) to what comes next.

And I love what comes next.

“Now” moves Paul from his prayer into praise, and it gives us a beautiful pattern for our own prayers. Like Paul, we can ask God to strengthen us, fill us, and help us grasp Christ’s love. In doing so, our attention naturally pivots to God, “who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20 AMP)

I find myself returning to this scripture often when I begin something new. Whether I’m writing a devotional or science curriculum for my students, I feel clueless as to how to start. My desire is to reveal God’s love and power to those I encourage and teach. But I don’t do that well without first acknowledging that God is my Source and I am completely dependent on Him to make it fruitful.

Maybe that’s why it’s refreshing that Paul doesn't finish his prayer focused on what we can do, understand, or accomplish. We would be sadly mistaken to think we are the main characters. Jesus is. Instead, Paul closes his thoughts by praising the One who can do immeasurably more than we can even comprehend.

What a shift in perspective!

We can ask God to do what is completely beyond us because He isn’t limited by us. We don’t know how He will answer and we can’t comprehend all that He is able to do, but we can trust Him. And even more beautifully, Paul reminds us that His power is already at work within us.

If you are spiritually hungry, will you pray to be filled with all the fullness of God today? Maybe you’re facing something new or completely beyond you. Fear and self-doubt may not disappear overnight, but they begin to look different in the light of your Heavenly Father’s love and power. Praise God!

Your Turn:

What are you facing right now that feels completely beyond you? Have you brought it honestly to God?

Are you more focused on what you can accomplish for God or on what God wants to accomplish through you? What might a shift in perspective look like?

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for my Savior Jesus. I ask to have the richest experience of Your Presence in my life, completely filled and flooded with Your Spirit. May my life bring You glory in the church and in Christ Jesus. Amen.