Don’t Give Up Before God Does Immeasurably More

Key Passage: Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us. To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)

Key Message: When you surrender your dreams to God and align your heart with His calling on your life, He will fulfill them in His perfect timing and in ways greater than you can possibly imagine.

Since I was eight years old, I dreamed of writing a book. I’ve always loved words, stories, and books—and I still do.

Recently, God fulfilled that dream—not in the way I imagined, but in a way far greater than I could have hoped.

As a child, I spent hours reading, picturing myself writing a bestselling novel. But over time, dreams fade. Doubts creep in. Life takes detours.

I started college as an English major but graduated with a journalism degree. I built a career in public relations and marketing, then later became a journalism professor. Writing was always part of my life—but never in a way that impacted lives.

Six years ago, still focused on my own desires, I launched a travel blog, dreaming of writing my way around the world. Then COVID hit. Everything shut down. Another deadend in my writing journey and aspirations.

But God was at work.

When life returned to “normal” (ha!), I joined a women’s Bible study at my church in Southern California. A year later, I was asked to write for the women’s ministry newsletter. Soon, I was leading a table and sharing my testimony more openly—the good, the bad and the [really] ugly.

Something shifted in that season.

The response to my writing was deeply encouraging. Women connected. God was using my words in ways I had never experienced before.

That opportunity grew into writing Fully Devoted, a Bible study on eight New Testament women who risked everything to follow Jesus.

Then, I attended a Christian writers conference and met a literary agent who agreed to represent me for my next study, Fully Redeemed, focused on women of the Old Testament—and future projects beyond that.

It took more than five decades, but God fulfilled my childhood dream—in ways that are exceedingly greater than I ever could have asked for or imagined.

I never envisioned writing Bible studies or ministering specifically to women. Now, I can’t imagine doing anything else in this season.

God placed a deep passion in my heart to help women like you see themselves in the stories of Scripture—to recognize that the same God who worked in those women’s lives is working in your life today.

He also gave me a new dream: the Seasons Under the Son ministry to encourage women to walk closely with Jesus and find purpose in every season.

This is my calling. This is my mission field.

So why did it take so long?

I was chasing my own plans instead of surrendering to God’s. I believed the lie that He didn’t care about my writing dreams. So I tried to make it happen on my own—and found myself in detour after detour.

God allowed my “wandering in the wilderness” until I finally surrendered to His will.

Looking back, I can see His hand all along. He planted seeds early and faithfully brought them to fruition in His perfect timing.

Years ago, a Christian counselor chose a special verse for me to claim: Ephesians 3:20. She saw how I wasn’t trusting God or giving Him enough credit. Doubt, fear and anxiety kept my expectations low. Because of my past, I didn’t believe I deserved any special favor.

She told me the verse was a reminder of how God sees me—including all my dreams and potential—and of His transformative power in the lives of those who follow Him to do so much more than we can ask or hope for.

For far too many years, I listened to the Enemy’s lies more than God’s truth, believing Ephesians 3:20 did not apply to me. (Notice I made the verse about me not God!) Thankfully, God changed my perspective through many seasons of spiritual growth.

Fast forward to the recent Chrisitan writer’s conference when, on the first night, the director introduced the theme of “More”—as in immeasurably more—based on Ephesians 3:20, the specific verse my counselor claimed for me 30 years earlier when I thought I was unworthy and broken beyond repair.

That first night I wept with gratitude at all God had accomplished to bring me to this specific season. I boldly asked Him to open doors of opportunity so I may do more with my spiritual gift and calling. Five days later, a literary agent asked to represent me to get my Bible studies published. So. Much. More.

And God can do the same for you!

Pray. Surrender. Trust. Obey. Believe in the boundless power of the Holy Spirit at work within you. Ask Him to accomplish abundantly more for His kingdom calling on your life.  

Don’t give up on your dreams before God does more—whether He brings it to fruition in this or a future season.

Often delays are necessary for spiritual growth and preparation. When we align our will with His, God positions us in the right place, at just the right time, for the greatest Kingdom impact.

So dare to dream big, my sweet sisters in Christ, and wait with anticipation to see what God will do.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I come before you today with a heart full of gratitude and praise. Thank you that Your power is not limited by my understanding or expectations. Help me to trust You with my dreams, big and small, so You may accomplish exceedingly and abundantly more than I can ask or imagine. Amen. 

Reflection & Application 

What is the “immeasurably more” that you are limiting in your life in your current season?

Reflect on a time when God exceeded all your expectations. How did that experience strengthen your faith?

What steps can you take to better align your current dreams and goals with God’s will, trusting Him to accomplish more?