New Year, New Plan

Most everyone views the start of another year as a chance at a new beginning. Vows are made to break old habits, start healthy traditions, restore broken relationships, and begin anew. We look toward the future with expectancy and hope.

The spirit of the New Year bleeds over into the Christian world as well. Pastors cast new visions for thier congregations. One year Bible reading plans are printed and distributed. People inspire to be more faithful and get more involved. We dream big and quote verses to stir excitement.

Here is one such verse from Ephesians. Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. (Ephesians 3:20)

As we plan to strengthen our disciplines and better our situations, we subconsciously hope God is gearing up for big things too. We wonder if this will be the year God comes through for us.

This year will God bring revival? Supply a better job? Heal a dear friend from cancer? Save a lost loved one? Will He, this year?

A closer look at the context surrounding our key verse from Ephesians reveals a simple, yet profound, fact about God's plans. While man prioritizes outward things, God prioritizes an inward work. We focus on our surroundings and circumstances, but God's first desire is to do an internal work in our lives.

Before we can understand the what God desires to do in Ephesians 3:20, we must first look at the preceeding verses to determine the where God wants to minister. The where in verse 16 is 'the inner man'. Verse 17 talks about 'in your hearts'. Our key verse of Ephesians 3:20 clearly ends with 'in us'.

Does this mean God will not move physical mountains for us? Absolutely not. But it does reveal that the promise made in Ephesians 3:20 is more closely related to the workings of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual lives, not just miracles for our life conditions.

This upcoming year, why not turn the focus toward your inner man? Instead of hoping God will work in your life circumstances, why not give Him full rein to do an internal work in you? More than anything else, God wants to minister HIMSELF to you. If you turn all of you over to His Spirit within you, He'll do an inner work that exceeds anything you could ask or think.