Exponential Increase

Years ago, I wrote a post about making myself a prayer closet (Prayer Closet Adventure, August 2018). I cleaned out a portion of my closet and planned to equip the space with plenty of inspirational verses and charts plotting God's progress --not really, but I expected God to move in amazing ways. He did. I hadn't even tried out the new space when two small children moved into our lives; my prayer closet became home to little dresses and fuzzy slippers and adorable Wellies. A resource I'd committed to giving the Lord was multiplied in ways I never anticipated. Of course, that meant my prayers took place just as they had before, in my truck, at the kitchen table, wherever I had opportunity; but now they were also shared with little hearts eager to make their connection with the One who created them. A tiny portion of closet space had been filled to overflowing with the miraculous work of God! Exponential increase!

Being a bit of a math nerd in my younger years, the idea of exponents thrilled me. How far can they go? Look at how concisely we can express radical, abundant increase! Nerdy. I own it. But God is the God of "exceedingly abundantly above all." I really believe He takes joy in blowing the minds of His children. Just look at Ephesians 3:20-21, and the way these verses have been translated:

In the New King James:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

In the Complete Jewish Bible:

Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the Messianic Community and in the Messiah Yeshua from generation to generation forever. Amen.

In the New Living Translation:

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. 

In the Amplified Version:

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

How ever you phrase it, this is abundance beyond abundance, the infinitely unimaginable! And it is all according to the power of Christ working in those who belong to Him! The same power that raised Jesus from the grave works in us! Imagine what kind of strength, breath, intervention, authority, knowledge, and skill it would take to restore breath to a corpse, to cause a heart of stone to begin beating! That is the power that works in us by the Holy Spirit of God! Exponential increase!

And I have to be honest with you, it is that promise of exponential increase that cheers me and keeps me going in those moments I'm threatened with the thought that all is lost. It is that evidence of God's abundance, beginning with a tiny portion of a closet, that is the assurance I cling to when I am threatened by dark days and hopelessness. I saw God do His thing! And it was marvelous to watch! 

What can you give Him today that He will superabundantly increase? Where in your life has He already lavished on you His infinite growth? What are your wildest dreams and how do you anticipate God outdistancing them? Are you fully confident in His promise of exponential increase? Prepare to be amazed!

Photo courtesy LuAnn Martin