Once again it's been a while since I last posted something. I've wanted to write, I have just had such a hard time putting what's been going on into words....the kind that make sense! So much has gone on in the last few months and I haven't been anything short of overwhelmed. Nonetheless during this time if I've learned (or been reminded) of anything, it's that God. Is. Able.

Somewhat cliche, I know. People say it all the time, but what joy it brings to truly meditate on that statement and believe it with all your heart - zero doubts.

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; ESV)

God is able to go beyond our "beyond" and way past what we'd consider to be "way past". He is also sovereign so there is never a reason for us to feel defeated by the circumstances that surround us or when our efforts don't immediately end in revival.

God is able to bring a persecutor like Paul into submission of His will...But God was also sovereign when he (momentarily) rejected His Son so that he'd be the perfect, Holy sacrifice to a fallen world. Either way, his power and His sovereignty goes beyond the beyond of all beyonds.

As Paul wrote in Ephesians, the Lord is certainly able & willing to go beyond our wildest thoughts and deepest desires, but He is sovereign if He does not. The way I see it, so many unanswered prayers deserve a huge thank you card! As I look back on various periods of my life I'm so, so thankful that God said "no" to some of my desires. Not because He wasn't capable of making it happen, but because there was something better in store. God always - always!! - provides His children with what they need even if it's not what we may want at the time...

...A teen struggling with addiction and insecurity. A friend trying to make the decision whether or not to surrender his life fully to Christ. A parent in a struggling, unhealthy relationship. Uncertainty about which career path to take or whether to move to a different city....

God hears each of my prayers. He sees the desires of my heart and understands them more than I'll ever know. He is able, indeed. But He is sovereign in His decision to make me wait on Him. On is power. His will. And not put my trust in what I believe I can do. My kindness. My testimony. My accomplishments. My love. Anything noteworthy has all come out of Him and so, it is His power that I must trust and lean on to work in and through every situation of my life and my loved ones (Galatians 2:20). It's His sovereignty that I must learn to put my trust in when life doesn't look like how I imagined it would.

But just know that whatever He does, whenever He does it, it will be "exceeding abundantly beyond" - even if He doesn't show us everything He's doing or why He's doing it. (Priscilla Shirer, God is Able)

Until next time....

In Christ,