The Power of Christ

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."  Ephesians 1:18-19

Young children believe their parents have the power to do anything.  I am humbled any time my children ask me to do something extraordinary, such as...

• A host of weather-related requests: "Mommy, will you make the sun shine over there so my swing set will not be hot?"  "Mommy, will you make the rain stop so I won't get wet?"  "Mommy, will you make the wind stop blowing my hair?"
• The requests to defy laws of gravity: "Mommy, will you make this picture fly all the way up to heaven?"  "Mommy, will you reach way up into the sky and get my balloon (the one that I accidentally let go)?"
• The most recent: "Mommy, will you pause the TV?"  (Which with the use of modern technology like TiVo might actually be possible, just not in this house).

My children's requests demonstrate their faith (though sometimes distorted) in me; their belief that I am uber-mom!  It is this child-like faith that Jesus is referring to when He said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it" (Mark 10:15).  

One day my children will realize I have no special powers.  My prayer is that they come to know the One who does.  God has the power to do anything.  Don't take my word for it, read the bible. 

I can testify that He has the power to heal the sick (look at my perfectly healthy 14-week premature twin); the power to set free those held captive by grief; the power to uphold those who, because of life's circumstances, have become filled with doubt and unbelief; the power to provide; the power to forgive sin; the power to restore hope. 

Can't see a way for God to make things right in your life?  Good!  As Morgan Freeman's character says in The Bucket List (a great movie which the hubby and I stayed up way too late watching last night), "That's why it's called faith."

God may not always use His power to do things the way we would like.  Isaiah 55:8 reads, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways."   However, we must trust that He knows best.  In Matthew 7:11, we read again the comparison of an earthly parent's love for their child and God's love for us as His children:  "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!"   Don't have children?  Then read 1 Corinthians 2:9 for inspiration: "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."

Want to experience the "incredible greatness of God's power...the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead" (Eph 1:19-20, NLT)?  Need help believing?  Just ask (Mark 9:24).  Like my children, make your requests known (Psalm 5:3, Philippians 4:6).  "Be fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised" (Romans 4:21).