20 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,
Eph 3:20 (KJV) 20

It’s a bit of a wonder to me why someone would spend an extreme amount of money for a vehicle made to perform at speeds that are way above the legal limit. What good would there be in knowing what it is capable of while you’re just cruising down the road at the posted rate of speed, never really utilizing the car’s incredible power and performance? Though it might look most impressive in power and beauty, until the full range of speed is experienced and the handling is put to the test, it might as well be a low end gutless car that’s just getting you from one place to the next. For its potential to be something more than an imagination or a warm fuzzy source of pride, that machine will need to be taken where there are no restrictions, where it can be driven to its limits and beyond. Until then it is just a waste of technology, craftsmanship and money.

An incredible price has been paid for the Lamborghini (Maserati, Corvette, Lexus, whatever your dream car) that’s parked in our hearts. While it will get us down to the grocery store and across town to the mall, there is power in this gift that far exceeds our greatest imagination. In order really experience this power, though, we’re going to have to get beyond the restrictions, legalism, self-consciousness, and religion that would keep us functioning on the level of a puddle jumper. Once we get out there to the free and open road, there will also be a need for some bravery, a willingness to open it up and discover just how thrilling the ride can be when the power is applied to its full potential.

While our God is able and more than willing to do ‘exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think’, He’s not going to take off without us. The power that’s rumbling on the inside even now is just waiting for our foot on the accelerator. Actually, it will be the Word we are willing and obedient to boldly speak that will get us out of the garage and the side streets and out onto the open Autobahn. May this day be a day of daring departure from the ho-hum to the high performance demonstration of the Holy Spirit as He is designed and purposed to perform. No longer held back by our thoughts or hesitant prayers, He will do incredible things in and through us as He moves with beautiful heavenly precision.

Psalms 132:8-9 KJV
(8)  Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
(9)  Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

Growing up in the Behrman household there was always a sense of confidence that if something were wrong with anything around the house, Dad was not only more than able to fix it, but he most definitely would make certain it was remedied. It was something that I probably never realized or appreciated all that much then, but now, as a home owner, I look back longingly to that time when living with Dad meant having everything maintained and functioning. Every little drippy faucet and burned out light bulb would not remain in its state of ill repair for long- as long as he was around.

Even in the present day there is an added blessing to each of our homes every time Dad and Mom come to visit me or my siblings. It will not just be a wonderful time sitting around the table or the fireplace talking; Dad will most probably notice that broken board or hole in the sheetrock, and before their visit comes to an end, make it appear that there had never been a problem. Wherever Dad goes there is a mending that’s going to take place. There is a problem that’s going to get solved. Though he and Mom come to just hang out and find fulfillment in seeing their grand kids, they bring with them an attitude that insists on making our home a better place before they’re done.

God has prepared in us this place that is uniquely capable of bringing Him pleasure and rest. He longs for the fellowship that comes from just hanging out with His children and experiencing the joy that was set before Jesus so long ago. Although this is something that you would think He could just claim and occupy on His own, He insists on waiting for our invitation, for our welcome sign and invitation. He doesn’t just barge in the front door without ringing the bell, although He is on the front step continually knocking and desiring to come in.

Once our Father is actually welcomed in to abide in our hearts, though, He does so much more than just pull up a chair and watch Andy Griffith with us. Wherever He goes it isn’t just a presence that leaves things as they were when He arrived. As long as He’s in the house, things are being continually remedied, repaired and restored to their original capability and potential. Where our clothing revealed where we’d been- maybe a bit soiled from the substance of sin and failure, He provides us with the pure and impeccable clothing of righteousness. We’re able to go places we could have never gone in our old duds, and where the air may have been thick with oppression and fear, the atmosphere is transformed to that of joy and peace. When He’s allowed heart entrance our Father brings with Him the ark of His power, the demonstration of His ability to completely renovate the place and give it the protection and provision it needs so very much.

As each day dawns and as our hearts are exposed to and filled with the elements of earth living, there is ever a knocking at the door, even for the seasoned God residence. He is continually dependent upon the welcome  invitation, but given the reception as His presence is our choice, He comes in with an ability to not just notice everything that wrong or broken, but repair, refinish, and make everything right in the home of our heart. Although it is His face we seek and His glory that is our passion, with Him always comes the force of His mending ability and the enabling of our abode to realize our full potential and purpose. Things will never be as they were when He arrived. Those things that may have never even been noticed and as they just grew to be a part of the home’s ‘character’ will be removed leaving this wonderful perfection of His hand’s doing.

I love it when Mom and Dad are able to make it. I know it will be incredible just being with them, but as we’re being so gratified by their faces and words, there will be changes taking place as Dad grabs his tools and gets with it. So, the face of our Father is such a passionate pursuit and just sitting down to eat the bread of His word and drink from His water of life brings fulfillment in itself. There will, though, ever be something else going on in our hearts as the Father’s tools are working their magic and bringing brightness and rightness to the place of His rest.

Psalms 89:6  For who in the sky can be ranked with Jehovah? Who among the mighty is like Jehovah?
:7  God is greatly to be feared in the congregation of the saints, and to be adored by all around Him.
:8  O Jehovah, the God of Hosts, who is a strong Jehovah like You? And Your faithfulness is round about You?
:9  You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves arise, You still them.
:10  You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; You have scattered Your enemies with Your strong arm.

Just that morning he had woken early from his warm, cozy bed to join his father on the couch in the living room. He had crawled right up in his lap and listened contentedly while another story was read to him. They were stories about the incredible adventures of this creative and powerful Being that had never been even slightly challenged by His adversaries. Whenever he would hear these tales his mind would sort of drift off as he imagined the scene of this conflict where his Hero once again protected and cared for His own by dealing effortlessly with their foes. That morning he had actually fallen quietly back to sleep as the narrative to which he was listening took the form of an entertaining dream. Just as his imaginary scene was getting to the best part he felt himself being lowered to the floor along with a gentle reminder that had to be on his way or he would be late.

 Now, though, it seemed that he had been far removed from that wonderful place at his father’s side. On his way to school, just after passing that old house on the corner, he found himself completely surrounded by four very large and menacing looking men, one of whom was threatening to bludgeon him with this large object if he cried out in the least. Fear, terror, and desperation gripped his heart as it raced along at a rapid pace in his chest. He began to attempt escape, lunging at what appeared to be a gap between two of his captors, but instead of getting away he felt himself being lifted off the ground and swept towards a waiting car a few yards away, all of his struggling and thrashing about totally ineffective against the overwhelming size and power of his captors. Just before they reached the car, though, he was suddenly dropped to the ground as one by one his towering oppressors were easily and quickly thrown to the ground themselves by someone far larger and powerful than they. He had only known him as this warm voice and comfortable lap, but now he realized just how large and incredibly powerful was his story telling father.

There is a place of safety and security at the side of our Father, where sleep is peaceful and stories are endless about His great adventures, conquests and accomplishments. It is so wonderful to just crawl up in His lap and enjoy the comfort of His surrounding arms. At the time, though, when it is no longer just a dreamland story, but the enemies are real and their size overwhelming, there will be a discovery in the real world of just how large and powerful is our Father God. Along with the adoration for His loving, providing presence, there will be an awe inspired perspective of Him through a delivering experience of the size and dominance that knows no equal and demands fear and reverence of all. Let the largest and most ominous threats be mounted, even the forces of nature as large as the ocean. All of our struggling and thrashing about may be totally futile and meaningless, but when our Father arrives we’ll be shown just how large and incredibly power is our story telling Father.