“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)
We’re all amateur architects of our own lives. We sketch detailed blueprints, carefully plotting every milestone and achievement. Finish college by 22, dream job by 25, married by 28, kids by 30 – we draw our life plans with the precision of a master builder. But here’s the thing about our blueprints: they’re drawn with a crayon compared to God’s master plans.
I had the same idea. Marriage at 30. Travel with my wife first. Have children at 35. We got it all planned out. Or so we thought. God let my ex-girlfriend and ex-fiance (now my beautiful wife) and I to marry at 23. We didn’t get to travel because we got pregnant two months after the honeymoon. I became a dad at 25. And a pastor at 26. So much for a plan, huh?
The phrase “immeasurably more” in Ephesians 3:20 carries stunning implications. In the Greek, it’s “hyperekperissou” – meaning abundantly exceeding, beyond measure. It’s like comparing a child’s dollhouse to the Palace of Versailles. God isn’t just suggesting minor renovations to our plans; He’s proposing an entirely different scale of living that surpasses our limited imagination.
We often treat God like a building inspector. We proudly present our life blueprints, hoping He’ll simply approve our plans with a quick stamp. “In all your ways acknowledge Him” from Proverbs 3:6 isn’t about getting God’s signature on our designs; it’s about surrendering our blueprint entirely and trusting the Master Architect’s vision.
Our carefully drawn lines keep smudging. We plan for a cozy cottage, but God envisions a lighthouse. We design a quiet suburban home, but He’s drawing plans for an embassy. Many of us are living in the basement of what God actually designed for us because we refuse to let go of our original blueprints.
Sometimes God’s demolition is actually preparation. When William Carey left England for India in 1793, his blueprint was simple – translate the Bible into Bengali. But God’s design was far grander. Carey ended up translating the Bible into numerous languages, establishing schools, fighting social injustice, and becoming the father of modern missions. His small blueprint became God’s architectural revolution.
Our resistance to divine redesign can be quite comical. As A.W. Tozer wisely noted, “God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” We’re like contractors insisting on using a hot glue gun while God’s offering us advanced engineering technology we haven’t even imagined.
God’s designs often require holy demolition. When He says “immeasurably more,” He’s not just adding a spare room to our existing plans. Sometimes He needs to tear down our carefully constructed walls of control, our meticulously placed windows of self-reliance, our reinforced foundations of comfort. His renovation process might feel chaotic, but the end result is always better than our original design.
The Master Architect sees the whole neighborhood while we focus on our own little plot. Your redesigned life might become a shelter for others, a beacon of hope in your community, or a bridge connecting different worlds. God’s blueprints always consider impact beyond our personal comfort.
Godseekers, dare to dream beyond your blueprints. Your Father’s designs are grander than your greatest aspirations, more beautiful than your best-laid plans. When we acknowledge Him in all our ways, we’re not just getting a renovation; we’re getting a complete divine redesign.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive us for clutching our small blueprints when You offer us grand designs. Help us trust Your master plan, even when it requires demolishing our careful constructions. Thank You for seeing possibilities we can’t even imagine. Give us courage to embrace Your immeasurably more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- What personal blueprints are you stubbornly holding onto that might be limiting God’s grander design?
- Where in your life have you already seen God build something better than you originally planned?
Step of Faith
Today, I will identify one area where I’ve been resisting God’s redesign and consciously surrender my blueprint to His master plan.
