The "downside" of more...

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 nlt

What an amazing scripture! God wants to do "more and better" things than we can even ask for or imagine. It's true, and it "really works"! If you've spent time in church you've probably heard a minister talk about this passage...its so inspiring! Here's the part you have probably never heard a "preacher type" talk about: There is a period of time between not getting what you asked for and things not turning out like you thought- before God shows up with the "better" and "more", that really really really Sucks!

That's right! In order for God to give you something that is more than you ask for-there will first be a time when you do not get what you asked for! In order for God to make things better than you ever imagined- there will first be times when things don't turn out the way you "thought they would", at all! It's painful! You can be praying with all your heart and be "certain" that you know things are going to turn out "well", and God simply says "N0" because he has a better plan.

I am so freakin' thankful that God would allow me to be part of actionchurch. I am overwhelmed by the people I meet that have been "waiting" to "meet Jesus in a nightclub". I am pumped about the great people God is sending to be on part of our "team". It's "way better than I could have imagined or asked for", and I wouldn't want to be anyplace else in the world. In order to get "here" though, I had to experience "not getting what I asked for or imagined". A year ago I was fired from my associate minister position at a church I had poured my heart, time, and resources for nearly five years. The church had grown and I thought my focus on bringing new people into the church made me an integral part of the team. What I didn't "imagine" or "ask for" is that our new "growth" made "outreach" unnecessary in the eyes of the church leadership. Their "classroom" was full so they could get back to "teaching the word". No need to continue using the creative "tactics" and "methods" that had brought the new people. I disagreed of course, so I was deemed "unnecessary" and tossed. I can look back now and say that was the best thing that God has ever done for me...but it still "stung" at the time.

Right now my heart is breaking for some people I love and respect who are currently experiencing not getting what they "ask for"...and certainly things not turning out the way they thought. Maybe that's the part of life you are in also? I wish I had better advice than this but "hang on"! Don't let becoming bitter keep you from receiving the "better" that God has for you! But most of all...even though it seems like it now...realize it is not over! "Infinitely more" is on the way.