This is still my favorite translation of Ephesians 3:20 because it’s so real:

Tomorrow (because my schedule is full today) He will be able (and hopefully willing) to do more than we are planning for in this specific area we’re talking about. According to some of my own abilities and His power that is definitely inside me somewhere but I haven’t had coffee yet so we’ll see if I can tap into it.
Ephesians 3:20, Rational Believers Version*

Isn’t this how we read scripture?
Isn’t this our perception of God?

“I mean, I guess…”
”I believe but…”
”Just because He can doesn’t mean He will…”
”I’ll do it myself in the meantime…”

It’s easy to insert ourselves into scripture, into God’s story, into His power. It’s so easy that we don’t realize when we’ve removed ourselves as supporting characters and begin living as the ghostwriter, author, editor or translator.

It’s easy to insert ourselves when really it should be the other way around.

We should be inserting scripture, God’s story and His power into our lives as He directs, writes and moves. Which means giving up control of how it all fits or works together.

It’s a tiny shift that makes a big change.
Can you tell the difference?

Get your coffee (because God did give it to us 🙌🏼) and see if you can tap into it: HIS power at work within you.

*credit to my guy Vinnie for creating this incredible teaching point and for showing restraint in ending the RBV here.

p.s. it’s also important to note: this pic was taken before I understood that cotton is not just a cute white girl decoration; it’s a symbol of slavery and entrapment for many people so I no longer use it in my decor.