From the Bible: Ephesians 3:14-20
“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.”
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Summer is a natural time for dreaming and looking to the future. There is something about the wonder of creation, the slower pace, and the break from our normal routines that opens our hearts and minds to possibility. We step outside the walls that have sheltered us through the winter and begin to enjoy the world God has made.
For me, there is no place quite like being near the water—better yet, out on it in a boat. The gentle ripples, the sunlight dancing across the surface, the mystery of what lies beneath, and the life-giving nature of the water all bring a sense of peace that I struggle to find anywhere else. It takes me back to childhood summers in Ontario, where I would spend hours swimming in the lake whenever I had the chance. Later, as a parent, it became important to me that my own children experienced that same joy whenever I could get them to a lake.
There is something about those moments that seems to wash away the cares of the world. Our minds become quieter. Our hearts become more attentive. We find ourselves listening for the Lord in ways that are often harder amid the busyness of everyday life.
In those quiet places, our hearts often begin to whisper prayers to God. We share hopes, dreams, fears, and longings that we may never have spoken aloud to anyone else.
When we read Ephesians 3, we discover that before Paul reminds us that God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,” he first prays that believers would be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, rooted and established in Christ’s love, and filled with the fullness of God. In other words, God’s greatest work often begins within us before it is seen around us.
As we seek Him through worship, prayer, and time in His Word, He shapes our hearts. Sometimes He confirms a dream we have carried for years. Other times He gently changes our desires and gives us dreams we never would have imagined on our own. His power is already at work within us, preparing us for the future He has planned.
Many of us entered recovery believing our future had been lost. Addiction had stolen dreams, damaged relationships, and left us wondering if life could ever be different. Yet God specializes in restoring hope. He brings beauty from ashes, purpose from pain, and life where there once seemed to be none.
That doesn’t mean every prayer is answered the way we expect or every dream unfolds according to our timetable. But it does mean we can trust the One who knows us completely and loves us perfectly. His plans are always greater than ours because they are rooted in His wisdom and His love.
So this summer, make room to be still. Sit by a lake. Walk through a park. Watch a sunset. Spend time with the Lord. Bring Him the deepest desires of your heart, but also invite Him to shape those desires according to His will.
The God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine is already at work within you. As you draw closer to Him, don’t be surprised if He not only answers your prayers but transforms your heart and gives you dreams that are even greater than the ones you brought to Him.
Enjoy this season of possibility, knowing that the Author of your story is still writing it, and His plans are always better than we could imagine.
Dawn Berry
Executive Assistant
