Reimagining God's Power: Stepping Out of Status Quo Christianity

Have you ever felt stuck in a spiritual rut, going through the motions of faith without experiencing its full power? It's time to reimagine what God can do in our lives and step out of "status quo Christianity." The truth is, God's ability to act far exceeds our ability to ask or imagine.

This profound reality is beautifully captured in Ephesians 3:20-21: "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all 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."

Let's break this down and explore what it means for our faith journey:

1. God is Able

The Greek word used here for "able" is "dunamis," from which we get our English word "dynamite." This isn't just about ability; it's about power. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in believers today. If Jesus is alive, anything is possible in Christ.
Think about it: we put our hope for eternity in the resurrection of Christ, but do we believe God can resurrect our marriages, restore our wayward children, or help us forgive those who've hurt us? The God who defeated death, hell, and the grave is powerful enough to work in every area of our lives.

2. Beyond Our Wildest Dreams

God can do "far more abundantly" than we can ask or imagine. This phrase in Greek is a compound word that essentially means "super-super-abundantly." It's as if Paul is saying, "I triple dog dare you to ask Him!" We often sell God short with our requests. Approaching God with our needs is like going to the ocean with a thimble and asking it to be filled. God is the ocean, and no matter how big our prayer is, He can do immeasurably more.

3. The Power Within Us

Here's the incredible part: this power is at work within us. As believers, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. The same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in heavenly places is available to every Christian. However, many of us pray in the flesh rather than in the Spirit, resulting in powerless prayers.
The key to a powerful prayer life is surrendering to the Holy Spirit and allowing His power to be manifested in our lives. We should "pray before we pray" - emptying ourselves and being filled with the Spirit before bringing our requests to God.

4. All for His Glory

The ultimate purpose of God's power working in and through us is His glory. We glorify God not like a microscope that makes small things appear bigger, but like a telescope that brings distant, massive objects into clearer view. As we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and see God work in miraculous ways, the world around us gets a clearer picture of how big and awesome God truly is.

Real-Life Examples of God's Power

Throughout history and in our present day, we see examples of God doing the "impossible":

• A group of missionaries in a remote area prayed for an empty generator to run, and it miraculously operated all night without fuel.
• In East Africa, a Christian man prayed for rain during a severe drought, and a torrential downpour immediately followed.
• A woman named Stacy, once confined to a wheelchair, experienced complete healing overnight after crying out to the Lord.
• While physical healing doesn't always come, many have experienced supernatural strength and peace during life's darkest seasons.

These stories remind us that our God is not bound by natural laws or human limitations. He is the God of the impossible, ready to work in ways that exceed our expectations.

Practical Steps to Experience God's Power

1. Surrender to the Holy Spirit: Allow God to empty you of self and fill you with His presence.
2. Pray with faith: Approach God believing He can do far more than you're asking.
3. Pray before you pray: Align your heart with God's will before bringing your requests.
4. Step out in obedience: Sometimes, God's power is manifested when we take steps of faith, even when it seems foolish to others.
5. Expect the unexpected: Don't limit God to your understanding or past experiences.
6. Give God the glory: When you see God work, share your testimony to magnify His name.

A Call to Action

It's time to bring our "thimbles" to the ocean of God's power and provision. Whatever burdens you carry - whether it's a struggling marriage, an addiction, unforgiveness, or a loved one far from God - know that you're approaching a Father who has more to give than you could ever ask.

Remember the story of the prodigal son who, after years of rebellion, asked his wealthy father for a mere dime? The father embraced him, saying, "My son, all that I have is yours." Similarly, when we pray, we're calling on our Heavenly Father who has infinitely more to offer than we typically request.

Today, let's step out of our comfort zones and into the realm of bold, Spirit-led prayer. Let's reimagine what God can do and invite His power to work in and through us. As we do, we'll not only experience personal transformation but also become living testimonies of God's glory to a watching world.

The God who raised Jesus from the dead, who parts seas and moves mountains, is the same God who dwells within you. He is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think. Will you trust Him today?