Devotional: More Than We Can Imagine

More Than We Can Imagine

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

A couple years before I went on the ventilator, a doctor told me that my lungs were getting weaker and that I would probably end up needing to use a ventilator in a few years. At the time, I didn't really have a good concept of what that meant. I pictured myself being hooked up to this huge machine and having to stay in bed all the time. It wasn't a pretty picture and certainly not what I imagined my future to be like.

During college, I went through having two different goals for my life. At first, I wanted to be a lawyer and I was majoring in political science to prepare for law school. Later in college, I became friends with a few Christian dancers and I soon decided I wanted to start a performing arts ministry with actors, dancers, and musicians proclaiming the message of Christ. Indeed, I started down that route by adapting a short story into a play that I was going to direct and narrate for my church during Christmas. The night after our first rehearsal, I started having major difficulty breathing. The next morning, I was admitted to the hospital. Three days later, I was connected to a ventilator.

I thought God had taken any chance of ministry away from me. My picture of being on a ventilator turned out to not be quite so accurate though. Instead of being confined to bed, I could zoom around the care center halls in my electric wheelchair with a portable ventilator strapped to the back. I was freer than I imagined but still felt I couldn't minister.

Now several years later, God is allowing me to minister in more ways than I ever could have imagined. My devotionals minister to people with chronic pain, parents of autistic children, siblings of the mentally challenged, pastors, missionaries, and more that I'll only find out about in heaven. God has opened doors that I didn't even know existed.

Take courage, my friend. You may be in a situation that seems hopeless. You may think that even if you asked God for a way out, that all doors will still be closed. Not only can God do what you ask, but He can do more than we can imagine. Let's see what God can do.

Comments

[Mabel]

Jason .... an e-mail bud from Georgia sent me one of your devotionals and I went to your blog ... read over several devotionals and am inspired truly by your ability to keep so positive... What else is there? bu Jesus and HIM crucified. Amen! God bless you over an above, exceedingly, abundantly, and richly, beyond anything you can think or imagine. Keep up the devotionals ... they are awesome. yer fren in Christ .. C U in heaven ~ where we can dance together!

[Becky C.]

Jason, i just want to tell you what a blessing you are to others. i miss your devotionals when you are off line for whatever reason.
You are in my heart and my prayers.
Blessings,
Becky

[stormcloud]

Your Singing as Worship article blessed me today, in a special way. The music we make with our voices, IS pleasing to God since it comes from the heart as opposed to, strictly our "music-boxes". For it's the passion and love within our Spirit that propels our voice box to burst forth. Even in our tone in talking to other people.

Our music-boxes must always be in tune with Our Lord as it is pleasing to His ears.

Thank you Jason, for I would much rather hear passion with a couple of clinkers than loud, pompous perfection that is hypocritical.

In His Perfect Love,

Stormcloud

[(brother) Greg Parker]

With no working memory now and losing more brain and body as time passes, this children's minister in Hobbs NM is rare to say the least. I call myself a "Nazacathlibapticostal" for 2 reason's= to get a chuckle and open a door that is closed. Born a Catholic, saved while in th Air froce during Vietanm, married a P.H. girl I met while staitoned there (married to Sharls for over 30 year's now) and now in the Nazarene denom, this Encepahlitis survivro is meeting more and more of the survivor's like you to get myself straight in ways i never knew before. As I loook at these keys while I type (damage is that severe), I know that there are so amny with much more serious medical situations than me and just wait on the Lord to "lead guide and direct" since before my 2 near death's this past 8 year's, I was a 'go getter' for better or worse- just to prove that my abusive father (whom I haven't seen go 40 years) was wrong about me being a mistake. I'll go back now and read the rest of your testim0ny borhter.
TTFN&PTL
'Bubba dude" (the ChristianclownforChrist