Do you have big dreams for your children in terms of what they can accomplish or achieve? I think we all do. My daughter’s dream and goal for a while has been to go to medical school. But that process has hit roadblocks along the way and become both a struggle and an excruciating waiting game. As adults we can sympathize as we’ve learned that the world is good at showing us what’s not possible and what can’t happen. We’ve all had dreams that were dinged or dashed. Perhaps at times we’ve even doubted God’s purpose and plan for our life. Why do things have to be so hard sometimes?
I’ve been thinking about thwarted dreams and goals in the context of the theme for this school year “Feel the Power!” based on 2 Timothy 1:7. We hear a very different message in Ephesians 3:20: “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.” I love that message about how God can deliver more abundantly than our little human minds can even think to imagine. We really do view our world narrowly through our sin wrecked vision. The thing we must embrace though is that God’s abundance is designed according to His will and His timing. It’s not about our worldly victories or accomplishments but rather God’s abundant spiritual blessings and perfect provisions for our life. There is power working within us! It might not get us into medical school, secure a promotion or raise, or guarantee good health. But it will ensure that our lives will overflow with heavenly blessings and the saving grace of Jesus Christ will be proclaimed through our words and actions. That’s the power that really matters and that this broken world cannot stop.