Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
Summary: How much can you imagine? More importantly, what would you ask of God? Is your desire for material wealth and security, or for something more substantial and long-lasting?
In the original Star Wars movie, “Episode IV: A New Hope,” by George Lucas, there is a scene where the heroes Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, along with their companions, have been trapped by the planet-sized spaceship known as the Death Star. While trying to figure out how to escape, they discover that Princess Leia is already on board in a prison cell and scheduled for execution.
Luke immediately wants to rescue her, but he has to convince his new friends, Han, and his Wookiee companion Chewbacca, to go along with his plan. Knowing Han’s weakness for easy money, he points out that she is rich and would pay to be rescued. Chewbacca is immediately suspicious, but Han responds with a question:
HAN: Rich?
LUKE: Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if you were to rescue her, the
reward would be…
HAN: What?
LUKE: Well more wealth than you can imagine.
HAN: I don’t know, I can imagine quite a bit!
His response is classic! “I can imagine quite a bit!” Who can’t? But once again, we are confronted with the conundrum of being two people at once (See “My Siamese Me”). Which “me” is imagining what I want to ask for?
In the Star Wars story, Luke represents the idealist. He is not worried about material things. He is more concerned with right and wrong. The Empire is “evil,” and the Rebel Alliance is “good,” and that is all he needs to know. Han, on the other hand, represents our materialist, self-centered nature. The first question he wants an answer to is, “What’s in it for me?”
In reality, we are both people. Every day we choose between being the materialistic Han Solo or the idealistic Luke Skywalker. We may not be flying around the universe in a spaceship while dodging Imperial Star Destroyers, but the choices we make are very similar. Am I in this adventure for me, or do I choose to serve a higher ideal?
When Paul says that our Father is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,” he means just that. God is the source of all that exists. Creating gold is as easy for him as making water. There is no limit to the material wealth God can provide (1 Kings 10). But is that what is really important?
Jesus brings this question into focus when he asks, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew 16: 26)
Application: Trust in the power and generosity of our Father in heaven.
Food for Thought: What does what we ask of God or others tell us about ourselves?
What does what we ask of God or others tell us about ourselves?
I believe it tells us where our priorities lie, which could reveal that we want to serve, or we expect to be served. It can also tell us about our own needs, our own humble vulnerability. Admitting that, and letting go of the idea that we dont need, can bring us closer to God and others.
Chris,
Well said! I like you point about wanting to be served or wanting to serve others. That, too, tells us a lot.
I like Chris’s response. Well said.
James 4: 1 – 3 reveals how our selfish motives can become known through what we ask of God. Are we seeking our own will, or His? The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to ask for His will to be done. When we do, it will not be full of self interests. Philippians 2: 3 – 5.
Thanks, Rich!
As always, you provide some great reference verses. James 4:3 is especially appropriate:
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.”
06-07-2023, What does what we ask of God or others tell us about ourselves?
I am with Chris and Rich.
What we ask for tells all ” Who we serve. ”
Our calling is not to ask God or others to serve our perceived needs, but to in the power of Jesus Christ, live in obedience to the two great commandments given by Him, as we trust God to care for our needs.
Matthew 22_37-39, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
Well said, Ron!
You remind me of that saying that says something like, “Show me your checkbook and your calendar and I tell you what you believe in.”
What does what we ask of God or others tell us about ourselves?
I agreed with what everyone said this morning but then I might have gotten the context of today’s blog a bit differently than everyone else.
What does what we ask of God or others tell us about ourselves?
The answer is …… How big of an imagination we have, and what our God is capable of doing.
Matthew 18:1-5
Tim,
You make a good point. It answer to today’s question is not one-dimensional. It can reveal many things about us. As the Matthew 18:1-5 passage suggests, it can reveal how childlike we are as well as where our priorities are.
Sorry How big of an imagination we have and and what we ” believe ” our God is capable of doing. I prayed for what I thought was impossible yet now I get to read the Bible with her every night.
You are very blessed my friend! 🙂