There is an expression often used in the business world in regards to changing the way things are. When things need to be altered to a new way of doing things people will say, “We need to turn this elephant around.” Just as an elephant is a large, cumbersome animal that would be difficult to get to change directions, so it is sometimes in our established thinking. It is difficult to turn around the elephant of our traditional approaches.
Our faith and religious practices may be steeped in years of tradition. How we look at God and the world may be based on generations of teaching. We may have established ways of living the faith we are called to have.
But we must be open to the leading of God. We must be willing to accept the new ideas and new beliefs that the Holy Spirit can bring to us. This may be a drastic approach to the way we think and act. It may require a complete turn-around in our beliefs. Or it may simply bring a new life and new vigor to an already firm faith.
Whatever changes we may be facing in how we believe, we may have our doubts as to whether or not we can change. But the words that conclude Ephesians 3 should give us confidence in the power of God. What is God able to do? What words of praise are offered?
It may be a challenge for us as believers to begin to accept people with whom we are not already familiar. It may be a challenge for us to welcome strangers or to tolerate people who have not found the faith we have. It may be daunting to think we may have to accept new ministries and outreaches, or change the ministry we already have.
But the presence of the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to look at our faith in a new way. The presence and power of God can revitalize us, give us new energy, and open our hearts and minds to new ways of sharing God’s love.
When we doubt or ability to change we must trust in God’s ability. Ephesians acknowledges that God is able to do more than we can imagine. His power and love, the grace He gives us to do His work, is beyond what we can measure. And that power and presence is with us throughout the many generations. We must trust in the Lord to make us able to have a new way of living out our faith.
DAILY CHALLENGE: How will you show your trust in God’s immeasurable and unimaginable abilities?
