I once tweeted (because twitters a thing); “I want to have a
nation-shaking mindset.” I have yet, at nineteen, to fully or wholly,
understand such an intricate declaration. All the while, not fully having a
handle on my words, my desire cannot possibly be shifted.
I do want to have a nation shaking
mindset!
“Now glory be to
God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we
would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers,
desires, thoughts, or hopes.” Ephesians 3:20 (TLB)
I want to dare to ask God for big
things. I want to trust, completely, in His undefeated power and know He is
big. I want my prayers to sound more impossible than a purple sky, because I
want the world to see God’s work in my life. I want there to be no doubt to
those around me (everywhere in the world) that the God I serve is big, and
real. So very real.
When John Goddard was fifteen years
old He wrote out a lifelong goal list. On this unique “bucket list” one of his
goals was; Visit the Moon. Yes, I agree, that would be quite an
adventure! An adventure that, when John was fifteen, no one had ever
experienced. An adventure, a mere dream, which was not at all impossible or
unreachable, it just simply, at that time, had not yet been enjoyed.
There are things, in our life (my
life), that have yet to be enjoyed because, we (I) never dare to ask. “Now
glory to God,” not just because He deserves all glory, but because He can send
men to the moon. And “infinitely beyond.”
How about this:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to
proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to
proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to
comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on
them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and
a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of
righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah
61:1-4 (ALL OVER THE WORLD)
That in and of itself is beyond me.
Infinitely beyond. Is all for His
splendor, so I am confident that He is almost offended when we ask for less
than He wants to give.
God: I’ll give you that, but is
that all you want. Are you sure?
One thing I am certain of, having a
nation-shaking mindset, begins with knowing who owns the cattle on a thousand
hills. *Psalm 50:10
It is easy to step out in faith, to
write out big ideas, have an unrealistic vision board, talk to anyone, be light
in the darkest places, fix your eyes on things unseen, give outrageously, do
things that make sense in the light of eternity, hope for the best, and believe
for purple skies, when you realize God really is Big. Big, may not suffice, but
He is certainly above and beyond all that we can ask.
Since being in Cambodia, I have
learned, that seeing the infinite beyond only happens when I see Him first. It
is freeing to put Him first. The possibilities become indeed endless, and it is
easy to recognize His impossible grace. Grace that waits for me patiently to
say: “I want a nation-shaking mindset.” Grace that meets me when I say that
with the wrong motives and reminds me of His splendor and points me to His
glory. Grace that invites me to walk along side Jesus as He shakes the world.
Grace that teaches me to love all nations, as I begin to learn that that is His
heart. Grace that wants to be showcased to all of the world, and Grace that
allows me to be His vessel in this world. Grace that perfects that which
concerns me, and generously canvases His concerns on my heart. Grace, perfect
grace, possible grace, that truly means “Ask and you shall receive,” when I see
Him first. And as I see Him first, grace allowing me to see much more than
purple skies, but nations shaking at the name of Jesus Christ.
*Listen to this song and meditate
on your big dreams. Write them down. Know, without a doubt God is big. Put Him first, and dare
today to ask.