Beyond What We Could Ask or Think
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able
to do far more abundantly
beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works within us,
to Him be the glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus
to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Beyond what we can ask or think. Sometimes, when we see the breaking of generational unbelief, it’s hard to wrap our minds around it in the present. Sometimes, we cannot see, envision or even dream of what God might have for us and future generations to follow.
And this was true for Dad.
In Dad’s journal, I found many references to dreams for me, for Mom and for other family and friends that his life touched. But I found not one reference to future generations beyond me. This doesn’t mean he didn’t have hopes and dreams for future generations, but I suspect that he had such “real time” challenges that looking toward the future probably didn’t come natural to him.
But God works “abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.”
One of my favorite people in the pages of the Bible is Timothy. He is a hero to me. In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul wrote “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and I am sure that it is in you as well.” The origins of Timothy’s faith can be traced back to his mother and grandmother. It was their faith that served as a witness to Timothy. When Paul came along, he watered as well as reaped the benefit of the faith of Lois and Eunice. And in writing to young Timothy, Paul credits the generational belief of his mother and grandmother as a foundation for Timothy to build upon.
While we don’t inherit someone else’s faith, we can grow from the testimony and the impact of someone’s faith. And just like Timothy, generational belief was a great foundation for my own journey of faith in Jesus.
And future generations are continuing that cycle of generational belief - beyond all Dad could ask or think. Our children, Anna and Will, and their families are recipients of that cycle of generational belief.
Although neither Anna nor Will knew Dad and have only seen pictures and heard stories, they are both, with their spouses, Nate and Kaitlin, recipients of the cycle of unbelief that God broke through Dad’s walk of faith.
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4
When faced with the decision to receive God’s gift of eternal salvation, each of them walked their own journey of choosing to believe, and are living faithfully to continue that cycle of belief with their children, our grandchildren, today.
If the Apostle were writing to Anna and to Will today, it might sound something like this, “for I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandfathers, Bill and Curtis, your grandmothers, Caryl and Wanda, your father, David and your mother, Gina.” The faith legacy that Dad and Mom and the Bicknell’s were faithful to live out, continues for generations beyond what we can ask or think.
Dad, and each of our parents, said “yes” to Christ and the cycle of generational belief continues. And you can be sure we are building on it everyday.
Recently I was talking with a friend that was expressing his concern about the condition of the world today in which his children are being raised. He, like me, and perhaps you, is looking around at the godlessness and lostness surrounding his children. It worries him as it does many of us for the generations to follow. Our culture is certainly getting more and more worldly and wicked. However, there is something that encourages me. I John 4:4 says, “...greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
With the current conditions of our culture today, you may not be able to conceive what blessings God would have for you and your family in generations ahead. Breaking the cycle of unbelief for one generation may be all you can fathom - living day by day. But God is always ready to bless bigger, broader and beyond what we can think or imagine.
Think About It
What prayers and dreams do you have for your family’s future generations? Take some time to name your loved ones, and ask God for the cycle of generational belief to continue from your foundation of faith.
Pray
Are there any family members you have listed and prayed for that you need to spend time with, encourage or have a direct conversation with about Jesus? If so, take some time to ask God to open opportunities for planting, watering and cultivating a cycle of belief in the ones you love.
I sure hope you will come back next week as I share the final installment of Dad’s story and encourage us all with some ways you can keep the cycle of belief going in your life.