What You Really Want

January 15, 2020

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Christmas is just past. Chances are you were asked by someone or maybe quite a few friends or family members what you wanted for Christmas. In my experience, the younger and more innocent the loved ones I asked, the more genuine and hopeful the requests became. The adults were diffident, reserved, and mostly reluctant to tell me. They clearly weren’t sure how far to go with identifying their desires or needs. They said things like, “Oh, I don’t really know. I haven’t given that much thought.” Or, “I don’t really need anything.” Or, “You don’t need to spend your money on me.”

On the other hand, Riley and Eden and Shae and Evelyn, ages 3-6, lit up the minute I asked. They began excitedly talking over top of each other, even bringing me tattered and well-marked flyers and booklets from Walmart and Target. They knew what they wanted and had faith in me. They believed I would have the resources and the deepest desire to delight them. The only one who was somewhat reluctant and held back was Skylar. She’s the oldest of the cousins and at eleven years has already lost some of that youthful exuberance. She has “matured” enough to know it’s more genteel to appear less interested and lower your hopes and expectations. She told me, “Mamaw, I don’t really need anything. Don’t worry about me. Anything is okay.” She has no idea how it thrills me to know what she really wants and provide it. Her mother told me she really was wishing for a printer for her computer. I ordered it that very day. When she opened it, my heart was as full as hers.

Can you imagine how it delights the heart of our Father when we actually cross the line and access His power? Can you comprehend the joy in His heart when we trust Him and tell Him what’s on our minds and in our hearts instead of holding back, thinking perhaps He doesn’t have the resources or desire to answer us? He tells us that He is able to do INFINITELY (without limit) more than we can ask or imagine. His love for us is so deep, He wants to do more than we can ask or imagine. He does it through His mighty power that works within us. Together we can accomplish things we can’t yet imagine.

• What’s the best-case scenario in your current situation? Reflect on the truth that God wants infinitely more for you than even this, and He is able to do it through His mighty power that works in you.
• Invite God into your hopes and desires for 2020.