When I first submitted a proposal to the publisher for my book, A New Thing, available today, I used this phrase as my tagline:
“When the next
chapter takes you beyond imagination”
That phrase points to a scripture which you will find on my business card, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us” (Ephesians 3:20). This small-town romance about Sophia, a woman facing an empty nest alone, is full of surprises, heartache, and I hope joy. It’s also about how she has self-limited and not allowed God full reign in her life. There are several nuances to this, but you’ll have to read the book to find out about them.
Let’s not be too judgmental about Sophia. We all do it. We draw our lines in the sand not allowing God to move us beyond them. We want to stay safe, but what we actually do is stay small. We may actually bump up against the boundaries, but we don’t step over them, because who knows what might happen.
We might even fail.
But what if we do?
If God uses all things for good for those who love him as the word says in Romans 8:28, then he’ll use even our failures for good.
Sometimes, boldness on our part is required and a willingness to go wherever and do whatever God has for us. His promise to us is the same as it was to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
When we step beyond those self-imposed lines with the Lord, that’s where we begin to see the exceedingly and abundantly above all we ask or think. It’s a life of adventure and wonder.
I’d love for you to see if that’s what Sophia found in A New Thing, but even if you don’t, find it for yourself. Press into all that God has for you.
I’d love to hear your stories.
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A New Thing Ebook available today, print version releasing next Tuesday, October 21.