A Doxology to take with you

My friend Allen led us in a doxology based on Ephesians 3:20-21. It was a small group of men on a retreat eager to hear what God might speak to us.

“Glory to God” Allen spoke out. Then all of us declared together looking at each other;

whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
forever and ever. Amen.

This doxology has stayed with me and reminded me, first of all, that God is at work within us. He is at work within you right now. Whether you are in pain, dancing along with joy, discouraged, optimistic, feeling up or down, or in between. God is at work in your heart and mind with his transforming power.

God your Creator is present within you.

Think about that for a while in silence and see how that speaks into your current challenges.

The doxology also declares what kind of power is at work in us – it’s the kind of power that led Jesus to tell his disciples to ask for anything (John 14:14). God’s power has no limits. Imagine what you will. Then remind yourself God’s power can do infinitely more. We can pray for anything because we are praying to a God who can do anything. Statistics don’t limit us. What’s happened or not happened before when we’ve prayed is not the final word. With God all things are possible.

It’s also clear through this doxology that God is at work in Jesus. If you want to hear God’s voice in a fresh way read the Gospels. Jesus is exactly what God is like today. My friend Brad’s book (A More Christ-like God) sheds light on that beautiful truth. Jesus is risen and the same Spirit that raised him from the dead is working in this world. Maybe one Gospel story is going to speak to you this summer?

If we want to hear God’s voice we can also get closer to God’s people – the Church, because God is at work in the Church. I am personally linked closely with inspiring believers from a wide variety of streams. They are all a part of this mystery called the Church where God’s power is working now. Mennonites, Orthodox, Anglicans, Alliance, Christian Reformed, Baptist, Lutherans, Pentecostals and Catholics have all spoken into my life in the last weeks. Wow! And I probably missed a stream or two.

In closing, back to the doxology –

 

Glory to God!

 whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
forever and ever. Amen.