By Megan Blansit
Founder of The Beautiful Movement - a youth ministry for high school girls. For more information, visit The Beautiful Movement’s Facebook page, where I post the time, place, and activity for each month
I hope everyone reading this is having a great week… and if not, I hope you keep reading this! Hopefully I’ve got some encouraging words for you. These encouraging words come straight out the the Bible. Let’s look at Ephesians 3:12, “ In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” This makes me happy! Let’s skip to verse 20-21, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through the generations, forever and ever, amen!”
I love how Paul uses the word “confidence” in verse 12. That word can shadow over into verse 20. We as Christians should be confident that the Lord WILL do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. However, do notice the end of verse 20, it says “according to His power that is at work within us.” Friend, if you do not know Christ as your Savior, then He is not at work within you. “Why?” Because He is a gentleman and He will never go places that He is not invited. When someone gets saved, the person invites Him into their hearts. Then, can His power be at work within them. Maybe you're reading this article at work on your lunch break and would like to start your relationship with the Lord by inviting Him in, I dare you to do it! I dare you to have an audacious faith that the Lord has big plans in store for you and that you experience His grace and limitless love.
Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it out on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” There is that word again, “confident”! I imagine that our days would go a lot smoother if we were confident that Christ was working all things out for our good, that He has everything under control, etc. Satan loves to get inside our brain, causing doubts and fears. Confidence and fear cannot coexist. Either we are living in confidence (in Christ) or fear. I don’t know about you, but this confidence thing sounds a lot more appealing! Webster says the definition of confidence is to be assured or have no uncertainty. Now go back and read Philippians 1:6 and Ephesians 3:20. The Word is telling us not to have any uncertainty! Jesus always has your best interest in mind. Just like Chris Tomlin’s song says, “He is a good good father…”
How many of us really meet the definition of being confident in Christ? If we could be honest, I am sure we could say there are days that our faith wavers. I hope that these verses bring the word “confident” (in Christ) to new perspective. The verse could have said, “Be hopeful that He who began a good work in you will carry it out until completion.” or “If you pray and fast everyday…” BUT! it says “Be CONFIDENT ….” We serve such an incredibly patient, forgiving, and loving God who desires to bless us (His children) in mighty ways. Friend, dream big, have faith, and ultimately, BE CONFIDENT in Christ! He knows what He is doing and you are not forgotten.
