“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 glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV)
I don’t typically share the verse of the day but this morning’s snapped my soul to attention.
I woke up groggy after a pretty terrible night’s sleep. As I was waking, I was praying about the workday that lay before me. I was reminded of Sunday morning’s service where the instructed prayer was ‘include me’. The preacher invited us to begin each day by looking for what God might be doing and then asking to be a part of it. “Include me.” Encouraged by the memory, I asked the Lord for strength and stamina for the tasks penciled into my work planner and then I opened my Bible app. Bam, there it was.
“At work within us” – is the obvious interpretation. Carpenter Jesus hammering and sawing and recreating our souls from fallen to sanctified. But in response to this morning’s half-asleep prayer I saw Jesus differently, Jesus at work, within us. Jesus, at our work places, an undercover Savior within our very skin. Jesus at Higginbotham, Jesus at reception, Jesus maintaining the coffee maker and restocking the snacks. Jesus making eye contact with the coworker who’s having a printing issue and needs technical support. I know it’s a stretchy interpretation of the scripture, but “With you wherever you go (WYWYG) still applies. Jesus is going to work with us today and He’s ever invested in Kingdom outcomes through our frames.
What a big blessing to consider as we scrub away sleep and caffeinate our way into the coming day! We aren’t careening off into midweek responsiblities unattended or power deficient (despite how you may feel). God goes with. He tends our soul with greatest care; in the safe space of home but also on the road, at the office and by the water cooler. We aren’t ever going it alone.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 NIV)
Lord, we are encouraged when we remember wherever we go, You go with. At work, at home, in the privacy of our room as well as the public space. Work within us wherever we go. Have Your way for Your glory as we surrender our ordinary, everyday lives to Your will and glory. Be lifted up in and through us as we march out into this Wednesday full of awareness; God goes with and He brings the power to accomplish His plans. Amen.