Reflection | Ephesians 3:20-21 | 8 September 2020

A letter from Anthony...

“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, forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Franklin D Roosevelt said these extremely well-known words in his inaugural address: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. When Roosevelt said these words, he was attempting to inspire optimism amongst the American people in a time that was plagued with many difficulties. The financial and psychological effects of the Great Depression had taken a serious toll on the nation; nearly 13 million people were unemployed, which was almost 25% of the American workforce at the time.

To this day, Roosevelt’s words are remembered because they are words that inspired the imaginations of many to put away the fear that was crippling their nation, and to look beyond their present circumstances.

We all experience circumstances that can take their toll on us; that can cause us to be fearful. However, for those with faith in Christ and His saving work on the cross, our present circumstances – no matter how challenging – don’t need to trap us in a place of fear. Followers of Jesus are not immune to the struggles and difficulties of life, yet we know that this life is not all there is. We belong to a far greater Kingdom, one that will never perish spoil or fade, and we serve a King who reigns forever.

The splendour of the ‘age that is to come’ is far beyond even the most vivid of our imaginations. And yet, as those who belong to such a wonderous Kingdom, and who serve the eternal King of kings, we often underestimate His ability to work in our lives – and through the circumstances of our lives. And because we often underestimate the One we serve, there are times when we are all tempted to give in to fear, instead of standing on the certain hope we have in Christ Jesus.

In Ephesians 3, the apostle Paul says that Jesus “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” If our Saviour is able to do more than our wildest dreams – and far more in our lives than we have ever asked Him to do – then these words are calling us, as those with faith in Christ, to be people of prayer. People who do not give in to fear, but who drive out our fear with prayer; prayer to the One who is able to work all things together for the good of those who love Him – in ways we can’t even imagine.

In Christ, Anthony