“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
In between the hustle and bustle of student life, being in the gospel choir is one of the many highlights of my four years in college. That’s right! I was a member of the “world-renowned” United Voices of Praise. Of all the songs that we learned and sang around the campus community, there was one song in particular that resonated with me—He’s Able by Darwin Hobbs. This song can instantly turn me into a puddle of tears. I mean, the “Oprah Ugly Cry” tears. One day, when thinking about this song, and why it touched me in such a strong way, I realized that it’s message directly combatted my way of thinking.
Let me explain…
We live in a world where we are constantly limited by what we can or can’t do, and what we are not; lost in the can’t do this and the I am not that. I can’t fly. I can’t travel back in time. I can’t become a Rocket Scientist because I’m not smart enough. I can’t find love because I’m not pretty, I’m not a size -0, I’m not cool, I’m not rich … I’m can’t and I’m not.
What He’s Able, and therefore Ephesians 3:20-21, helped me to realize is that “I’m not” and “I can’t”, really holds no weight in who I am, what I can do, and what my achievements will be. God says that I am His child. He loves me and only wants me to prosper. And, because I am His child, I can do all things through Christ who continues to strengthen me. Most importantly, God is able to do all things (exceedingly and abundantly), and because God lives in me, I am able to do all things (exceedingly and abundantly).
Once I realized this, I decided to live no longer in the what I can’t do and who I am not, but to thrive in the what I can do and what I am. So yes, I can’t fly. But I can fly with the help of planes, helicopters, and blimps. Yes, I can’t travel back in time. But thanks to the complexity of the human mind, I can look back at my life and remember different experiences as if I am reliving them all over again. I may not be smart enough to be a Rocket Scientist, but I can still utilize my tools and gifts to make a difference in this world. I may not be cool, insanely wealthy, a size -0 or the prettiest girl in the room. But I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and somehow I am worthy of the love of our Father—if I am good enough for God to love and cherish me, I am good enough for the love of any man.
So as I sit here—listening to He’s Able—I am in tears. I thank God for this constant reminder that He is able, as am I. I am reminded that God will fulfill every promise and every prayer—miraculously, exceedingly and abundantly. Whatever you are going through, whatever you are dealing with…whatever you feel you can’t be or can’t do…don’t give up on God. He can and is able to get you through anything. AND, because you are His child, you too are able. You can make it through. You are worthy.
