Every year I try to figure out what God wants me to work on for the year. A few years ago, it was dealing with fear (Fear not, for I am with you), then it was stepping out and doing what God told me to do (Be strong and courageous). I may still have problems dealing with fear. Ok, I do. Just this last week I spent 2 hours in the car tense and on edge while my husband calmly drove through Saturday night traffic. And I still have problems stepping out and doing what God says when He says it, but I am listening!
This year I found my verse in Ephesians. Actually, I found it at the end of a Christian fiction novel by Patt Marr.
Ephesians 3:14-21 (The Message)
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—which Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in.
And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
Patt’s response to this verse is: “My 2008 New Year’s resolution is to dream big, ask largely, praise Him generously and surrender what I think I want so the Lord can supply what HE wants for me.” I’m with Patt this year. I will dare to dream and dare to ask!
