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I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know\u2026 his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:18a,19-21)

In the first half of verse 19 we hear Paul\u2019s prayer that we may know in our heart the power of God for us who believe. \xa0It has been my increasing sense over these past number of years, probably ever since 2015 or so, that we as Christians in the West have little sense of this power of God. \xa0I\u2019ve said it before, but its worth saying again (and again).

Whether in the legalism of progressive justice or the legalism of conservative ethics\u2014both political and church discourse has been shaped by an implicit belief that if any Christian good is going to get done around here\u2014we have to do it ourselves. \xa0That is: we have to do it in the strength of our own power. \xa0These \u201cstrong positions\u201d of \u201cstrong stances\u201d can betray a belief in a very small, impotent God. \xa0A God that\u2019s functionally dead. \xa0The actions of many Christians seem to suggest a belief that \u201cit\u2019s all up to us now.\u201d We believe we\u2019re on our own. \xa0

From the spiritual angle, I think the smallness of our God and our functional belief in his powerlessness is, more than anything, what has driven the polarization in church and society. \xa0We don\u2019t believe there\u2019s anybody that can save us anymore. \xa0So, we think that we have to save the church. \xa0We have to fight the secularists. \xa0We have to save our society and country. \xa0We have to achieve holiness. \xa0We have to set things right and make justice happen in this world. \xa0We. We. We. \xa0

Through the power of law and policy, the power of our money, the power of our influence, the power of our votes\u2014through any power that we can get our own hands on to use\u2014we ourselves have sought to become the god that we no longer believe in. \xa0

Aside from lip service, very rarely in these divisive conversations have we bent the knee of our hearts to a power greater than our own. \xa0Very rarely have we laid down our powerful, coercive armaments and battle-ready defences and securities in trust that it is God\u2019s power that will fight and win the battle, God\u2019s power that will vindicate and save us\u2014if not now than in the world to come. \xa0Very rarely have we held out hope that his power will see us through to a glorious inheritance despite what our eyes can see and heart believe. \xa0

When we lose sight of a big, sovereign God\u2014a powerful God\u2014we lose everything. \xa0If we no longer believe that God is powerful to act in our lives, world, and church anymore, then we functionally deny the very power that \u201che exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand.\u201d \xa0Said differently: a belief in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ demands belief in a God who powerfully works in our world still today. \xa0The power is the same, Paul says. \xa0The power of God for us who believe is the same as the power that vindicated Jesus in resurrection life. \xa0Do you believe this? \xa0

Against all the despair, uncertainty, fear, polarization, violence, desolations, and turmoil of our world and present moment\u2014do you yet believe in a God who is powerful to save his people? \xa0

Believe it. \xa0God is on the move! \xa0Just like in those days of power when, through his mighty strength, he raised Christ from the dead. \xa0My prayer is the same as Paul\u2019s: that God will once again open the eyes of our hearts to perceive and rest in his mighty power, hope, and calling for us who believe.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: \xa0 \xa0

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you.\xa0
May he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.