The Utter Extravagance

Ephesians 1:15-19 (Message) "That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you — every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask — ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing Him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life He has for His followers, oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him—endless energy, boundless strength!"

I have to admit that lately, I’ve struggled with focus… with clarity… with purpose. I find myself just going through the motions, just putting on my game face, just surviving one day at a time. I can honestly say I’m not depressed, I’ve just been emotionally numb... coasting along in nuetral. So when I found these verses I was reminded of what God’s track record is in my life, and the work He continues to call me to... and well, let’s just say I felt a bit overwhelmed and extremely inadequate.  The Father occasionally has to get my attention by pulling me away from everything that separates me from Him, the good things and the not-so-good things. And I am learning that this is actually a GOOD thing. And it always amazes me that I am so easily distracted from the very thing that fills me with joy… HIS presence in every area of my life. It’s obvious when I have forgotten to look for Him in my every day, because on those days I am insecure, inward focused and unable to hear His voice. I don’t feel alone, but I do feel isolated.

As I meditate on these verses, I question if I ever grasped “the immensity of this glorious way of life He has for His followers”. One thing I've learned, the enemy loves to see us doubting ourselves… questioning our worth, our uniqueness, and ultimately questioning the “One” who actually calls us His own. In those moments, and on those days (or entire seasons) we miss out on the “utter extravagance of His work in us”. When I look back over the last 4 months and consider what I may have missed out on, my heart is heavy, and I recognize what has taken place. In the particular version of scriptures I shared above, it tell us that “endless energy and boundless strength” is waiting for us. Wow, I would love to be able to say that those words describe what I have been experiencing recently! But obviously... I can't!

Why would I ever choose NOT to acknowledge what is available from the Father… the utter extravagance of His work in me that’s only available when I trust in Him? I realize that this place I find myself in comes down to a matter of trust... and the last four months spent just putting in my time comes down to trust. So I’ve just been going through the motions because I am choosing not to trust the Father.  

Sooooo... why would I want to miss out on a season of endless energy and boundless strength? Honestly, it truly isn’t a matter of wanting to miss out… it is a matter of choosing not to see that which He has called me to. The enemy loves to render me emotionally numb and ineffective because it keeps me from seeing the Father’s utter extravagance… and experiencing this glorious way of life He offers me.

As I read these verses again and again, I begin to crave anew that which has been missing in my life. Today I am asking for the very thing Paul talked about in these verses: TRUST. And I encourage you to pray that the Father will keep “your eyes focused and clear, so that you will see exactly what it is He is calling you to do”. When we do this, we will grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life He has for His followers.  And I am convinced that, when we recognize the utter extravagance of His work in us who TRUST Him, we will once again experience the endless energy and boundless strength that He provides. 

How could we NOT want in on this amazing gift from the Father!