Exceedingly Abundantly

This is the verse that came to me the other day as I was praying.

Ephesians 3:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

However, I like this more expanded version a little better--

Ephesians 3:20

The Message (MSG)

 ²⁰God 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. 

 I was on my treadmill, listening to my contemporary Christian music on Pandora radio.  Praying my heart out, singing to God, and this is what He dropped into my heart.  Did I cry?  Oh yes, yes, I did.  I wondered what He was trying to say to me--you know?  Right at that very moment, that very instant in time.  As I finished up with my workout and prayer time, I went back downstairs and got out my laptop.  I began to do some research.  I prayed and asked God--through this portion of scripture today, what are you saying to me?  I knew in my heart of hearts that He was trying to get through to me.  I was just hoping to be able to figure it out--soon!  It seemed so very puzzling at first.

I decided to break it down, bit by bit--He can do anything.  OK, got that.  I believe that.  Now what?

And then I heard it, deep down in my heart, I heard Him ask me--do you really believe that I can do anything?  You see, for years now I have been praying for something very specific.  And it still has not come to pass.  It bothers me.  Hey, I'm just being honest.  As I sat there in my big old brown rocking chair, praying, crying, asking God why He hasn't done that one thing for me--well, something in that verse came to life, right before my eyes.  He's working in me, while I wait.  Deeply, gently, within me.  

I wondered how I had missed that part before.  I always had just read-- He can do anything.  I love that part, I believe that part.  At least I thought I did.

Didn't I believe that the creator of the universe could do anything?  Didn't I believe that with all my heart?  The answer to my question was--yes, yes, I think I do believe that God can do anything!  But, what I was hung up on was the other part.  The part that had to do with me.  The waiting, the working, the deep, gentle part.  That's what the hold up was, and I didn't even realize it.  

As I sit here now, as I pray, as I read my Bible, as I cry out to my God--I am now waiting.  I have asked Him to do a work in me.  And, just as He has been so patient with me, I will be patient with His awesome timing.  I will trust Him to gently do the work in my heart and life that needs to be done.  It will be a deep work, it will take time.  It might even be hard.  But, isn't work done well--hard to do?  I will need to be receptive, pliable, willing, trusting.  

And most of all I will need to be patient. And I will need to accept the fact that while He is busy with me--healing, working--He'll be also working on the other thing.  The thing I asked for, the thing I prayed for.  The one thing that I want more than anything else in this sweet life of mine.  One little thing, that will mean everything to me.

He will answer my prayer, He will answer it exceedingly abundantly, more than I could ever imagine, beyond my wildest dreams!  I guess what I'm trying to say is that I was given hope, with those 2 little words--exceedingly abundantly!  I am waiting for that day.  And, as I wait--I will pray, I will be grateful, thankful, and patient.  Maybe you could pray too.