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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. [Ephesians 3:20-21]
Favorite Bible Passages
Several Bible passages become personal favorites because they speak to us of God’s love and faithfulness. Think of Psalm 23, Jeremiah 29:11, and Romans 8:28. In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus notes that even imperfect parents know how to provide for their children, and so how much more will God provide for us. There are many such passages.
Ephesians 3:20-21 his has been one of my favorites for a long time. It summarizes the Bible: God acts in unexpected and amazing ways for our benefit.
God’s Blessings for Us
The passage helps me when I pray because I don’t necessarily know what to ask for. I know what I want, but I don’t know if that’s the best thing. For instance, during a time of underemployment, I prayed for a good job, but I also needed a job that would be (or could lead to) a long-term position. Looking back, I could not have anticipated the amazing ways God would direct me during the ensuing years. This Ephesians passage reminds me that God has “the big picture” and accomplishes blessings beyond what we know to ask for.
God’s Blessings for Others
The passage also reminds me that God’s blessings are not toward me alone. When we pray, we often focus on our own needs and those of our friends, family, and acquaintances. But perhaps God is using each of us in order to touch others’ lives. I think of people who have had a tremendous impact upon my life, but who passed through my life comparatively quickly, even for only a few minutes. Since God does “more than we can ask or imagine,” we may never know the extent of God’s work in and through our lives.
Waiting for God’s Blessings
The passage also helps me when I don’t feel like God’s blessings are forthcoming. We all have those times when God seems silent and absent, when our prayers seem to be unanswered. In my own life, I’ve seen prayers answered across years so that I understand God’s guidance only in hindsight. During the crisis, though, I was unhappy and disappointed in God! Ephesians 3:20-21 also helps anchor us when faith is hard and life is difficult. There is more to God’s care than we can ever realize.
Your Turn
As you look over the years, when can you see God’s care beyond your own imaginings?
A passionate reader, I began writing as a young girl. After graduating from college, I became a teacher. Over the course of my career, I taught high schoolers, college undergraduates, and public school teachers how to write personal narratives, expository and persuasive essays, as well as poetry and short fiction. I continued to write: publishing professional articles, two textbooks, short stories, and poetry. In 2013, I won first place in Romantic Suspense in the ACFW Genesis Contest.
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