Out of Our Comfort Zone

‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)

When reading the above verse in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians it’s easy to insert a full-stop after the word imagine, so it reads,

‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. According to his power that is at work within us to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’ (V.20-21)

But to stop at the comma takes us out of the action of what God is doing; it stops short of realising that God is at work in and through us.

Let’s see if we can catch Paul’s train of thought here.

It’s important for us to know about God. It’s good to read the Bible and other books so that we can gain knowledge of who God is. But as Christians we are to go beyond just accumulating knowledge for knowledges’ sake. The way of life God has called us to goes beyond books into practical living, hence Paul says, ‘love surpasses knowledge…’ (V.19).

We are to put hands and feet on the knowledge we have so that it translates in practical ways to love one another. God has, in Jesus Christ, revealed himself with a human face, loving us to the fullest extent and calls us to go and do likewise.

How is this possible? Only because we are filled with the fullness of God (V.19).

We all need to pray that God will do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Be careful though.

To pray this prayer is dangerous because it means we can’t stay within our comfort zone; it means surrendering our own will and desires in order to keep in step with His.

There is a lot of light in the church but we have to move into the darkness for God to use us to reach others with light of the gospel message.

That means getting out of our ‘holy huddle’ and shining the light of Christ’s love to those groping in the darkness. We need to be a part of the answer to God doing immeasurably more in this world.

There’s no better time than today to leave our comfort zone and participate in what Jesus is doing in this world.

Are we up for the task?

Certainly not in our strength; but thankfully we can be, according to his power that is at work within us.

Have a good week stepping outside your comfort zone.