More

It's an odd doxology in the middle of a letter. It's like a "goodbye" in the middle of a conversation...as if you're talking to someone, and suddenly, they say, "Goodbye," and then just keep on talking. That's sort of what the end of Ephesians is like. It's a benediction, and then Paul keeps on talking for three more chapters. It's sort of strange until you realize what moves Paul to praise.

He's been talking about God welcoming the Gentiles into the plan of salvation. Paul calls it a "mystery," and for Paul, it certainly was that. He was a good Jew, and had grown up thinking that salvation was only for his people. It's a "mystery" why God would open up the gates, and yet that's what he has done. It's a mystery Paul is perfectly happy with, but a mystery nonetheless.

And as he reflects on that mystery, he is moved to praise. "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" (Ephesians 3:20-21). There's a lot there, but it's the description of what God can and will do that has struck me this morning. "Immeasurably more." And I have to ask myself: do I really believe, with Paul, that God can do "immeasurably more" than all I ask, all I imagine. In the words of Han Solo, "I can imagine quite a bit."

Yet, Paul says, God can do even more than that! My problem, however, is often not imagining more than I think God can do. My problem is often imagining less than God can do. Was that the problem the people in Jesus' hometown had, imagining that he couldn't do as much as he could? We're told that Jesus couldn't do much there because of their disbelief (Matthew 13:58). Were their imaginations stunted? Because he can do "immeasurably more" than we can imagine. Jesus wasn't without power; the people were without imagination.

When I was a younger pastor, I would visit in the hospital and I would pray for healing, "if it is your will, Lord." And of course, that's Biblical. We are called to pray in alignment with God's will. "Your kingdom come, your will be done." I just forgot that healing, hope and salvation is always the will of God for people. Several years ago, I was challenged by another pastor to always pray for a grand slam, out of the park miracle, to dare to ask God for healing every time, and then trust that God would bring what is best, what is needed. Imagine big ("immeasurably more") and trust deeply. It's a delicate balance, but one God call us to.

Because he can do immeasurably more than you can imagine. And he will do what is best.