More Than We Can Ask or Imagine

Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, but just as it is written, "Things which the eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:6-9)

This verse finds its fulfillment in Christ, as what Jesus did didn't even make sense to the religious people at the time. But I think we could also apply that last verse to our lives in other ways -- God doing things that don't make sense. 

For instance, I've prayed a lot about music, as it's felt like a calling, which is why I have even given it a good shot these past several years. I want it to be what God designed it to be, because it feels like a thing that He led me into, not something I chose (I would have chosen to be a writer or filmmaker, if you know anything about my story). But I am also really haphazard to corner a calling into a job, but what if that isn't true? What if this is just a hobby I'm meant to do for awhile that might just impact a handful of people? And so I've asked God if it is supposed to be a job, and if so, does it even look the way I think a job as a songwriter/music producer would look to me?

Don't take yourself too seriously. (Photo by Mondo Scott)

At church a while back, we were told to ask the person next to us, "What is one thing you are believing God for this year?" I replied that, selfishly, I want to make more money with music. But I always feel the need to preface that with that statement: "I feel like this is a selfish thing," but it is always the first thing that comes to mind. Why? I think the first reason is that I have so many songs within me (I am constantly writing) that I just want to spend more time producing them, and there never seems to be enough time! And so I've always believed that if I can make it my job, then I can spend 40+ hours a week on music. How great would that be?!

Secondly, I want to feel successful at something. A lot of my friends that I went to film school with have gone on to accomplish quite a bit. They are making big, massively impressive videos, or have wide audiences; and for all their work, they are well-compensated. It's hard to have taken all these years off of a career to be a stay-at-home dad, all the while putting part-time hours into my passions, hoping they will make a difference and, in my limited worldly thinking, pay off financially.

I think though, that most of the time what God has for us is even bigger and better than what we dreamed -- which is significant for a guy like me who can't seem to stop dreaming! I think if we let God take over more of our lives, we would see that the things we dreamed up pale in comparison with what He has for us. I think there are seeds in our hearts that we don't even know are planted there, that only God can grow into something so beautiful that it beckons, even necessitates, worship. 

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 the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

All that takes surrender, I think. Letting go of what we think this life is meant to hold and letting God do what He wants to. It's a no-brainer if you really think about it, but practicing the art of letting go is another story...

This blog was started back in 2024, believe it or not, and as I spend the day going through old blogs, I'm interested that I still struggle with many of these topics I started writing about, even years later! However, I'm encouraged that the solutions have evolved and moved forward, even if slightly. That last paragraph about letting go is a thing I've been thinking a lot about lately -- I'm even working on a book about it, and, similar to my last one, it has a whole list of songs that go along with the material! 

More on that later, but to end on some encouragement, we are all growing, hopefully more and more into Christlikeness, but also more and more into who we were born to be.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)