My heart overflows as I think about this past Sunday and the manifestation of this church’s great compassion for the salvation of a lost world. I am almost at a loss for words to express my joy. Perhaps the words of Paul say it best, “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” (Eph. 3:20-21).
With the economy being what it is, and knowing of so many members who have been cut back on their hours, lost their job, having to take a second job or have their business failing, I was concerned if we could even come close to what we have done in former years. I prayed, but I have to confess, I did not pray “big enough.”
There is one explanation as to the how and why of that day. Our God is able! Paul could have just said that God is able, but he said so much more. He adds words after words to magnify what God does! After saying that God is able, Paul then says, He is able to do above all that we ask or think. He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.
Paul said, “According to the power that works in us.” You know Who that power is. How thankful we ought to be that He chooses to use that power through us. Paul’s closing words in the passage sum up what our lives are all about, “To Him, be glory in the church.” It is not about us; it is about Him. It is about bringing glory to Him!
Where did all that money come from? The answer is that it came from the hearts of those who love Him. I was so moved when a parent told me of two children who went to their “piggy banks” and completely emptied them and gave over $130, which they so easily could have spent on themselves. It came from the “widow’s mites” multiplied many times as person after person (not just widows) made sacrifices to get the gospel to the lost. How tragic is it that we tend to do like Jesus’ disciples and see the gifts of those who of their abundance give to God (Luke 21). Jesus looked at the sacrificial gifts. God, help us to be more like Him!
It was a great day. There was so much joy. The Lord saw your sacrifices and rejoiced. Because of you, the angels of heaven will rejoice again and again as the lost are brought to Jesus around the world.
I believe I speak the heart of PBL when I paraphrase the words of Isaiah. “Lord, here we are, use us!”