Above and Beyond
Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20
On the last morning of our recent trip to Barbados, Danette and I set our alarm to get up early so we could watch the sun rise over the ocean. This has become a regular part of any of our beach trips. We were up at 5:15 am, got dressed, and headed out to the beach to watch the sunrise. Immediately, we noticed the sky was full of clouds, so much so that we could not see the sun at all. And, not long after arriving on the beach, rain began to fall. Needless to say, we were very disappointed.
We decided to move to the rooftop overlook to hopefully get a better view, hoping the rain would stop. But the light rain continued. As it did, we kept our eyes on the Eastern horizon, hoping for the sun to peak through the clouds. I happened to turn away from where we had directed our attention in time to see the most incredible sight - a complete rainbow. Neither Danette nor I had ever seen a complete rainbow! And then, we noticed it was a double rainbow! How cool was that! Before too long, the rain stopped and the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, and we saw an incredible sunrise through the clouds. We had gone looking for one kind of beauty, and God had something entirely different—and arguably more extraordinary—in store.
We often have our own expectations, plans, and agendas, and we get sideways when things do not turn out the way we want. We place limits on God and His work in our lives. But as the key verse above states, God is all about proving that He is not just enough. He is so much more than we can ever expect or imagine. This verse challenges our tendency to limit God by encouraging a mindset of faith and expectancy.
Let's look at the life of Joseph as found in Genesis 37-50. Joseph was the favorite son of his father, Jacob. He was a dreamer who had big dreams for his future. But those did not happen quite the way he thought they would. Because of their jealousy, Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit and then sold him into slavery in Egypt. While there, he was falsely accused and imprisoned. Joseph appeared to be in a very desperate situation. Everything seemed to be falling apart for him.
What Joseph and his family did not realize was that God was orchestrating something much greater than they could have imagined. Eventually, Joseph was elevated to second-in-command over all Egypt. He saved countless lives during a severe famine—including the very family that betrayed him.
When things do not turn out the way we had hoped, we must keep in mind that God is in control and has a plan for our lives. He is working behind the scenes, like the story of Joseph. His plan may not be what we have planned. God’s plans and outcomes often go far beyond our understanding. God often directs our lives in ways we don’t expect, but they turn out better than we hoped when we trust Him.
When Danette and I were out in the rain looking for a sunrise, we could have given up. But instead, we chose to wait to see what would happen. If we had gone back to our room, we would have missed out on a most beautiful experience. God’s “no” and “not yet” are rarely the end of the story. We have to wait actively with hope.
The twists and turns in life can be complex and unexpected. God can take these and turn them into something better than we imagined. He works in ways we can’t fully grasp and always for our good.
If you are currently in a time of disappointment, struggle, or challenge, take a step back, change your perspective on how you see the situation, look for the Lord in the midst of it, trust Him, and wait to see what He does. As you look to the days ahead, seek big things from God and expect Him to do immeasurably more than you can imagine.
Call to Action
When have you experienced God doing more than you expected?
Are there areas in your life where you’ve stopped asking or imagining big things? Why?
What keeps you from fully trusting in God’s ability to do “immeasurably more”?
Think about 1–3 things that feel impossible, too big, or out of reach. Pray boldly over them, trusting God with the outcome.
Digging Deeper
Read Joseph’s full story in Genesis 37-50 and make notes of the twists and turns and how, in the end, things turned out so much better than anyone could have imagined.
For verses on this topic, read the following: Isaiah 55:8–9, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 27:13–14, Psalm 37:4–5, Proverbs 3:5–6, Proverbs 16:9, Lamentations 3:22–23, Romans 8:28, and 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Prayer
Father, thank You that You are a God who does more than we ask or imagine. Help me to trust You even when things look uncertain. Help me not to limit Your work in my life. Open my eyes to see Your hands at work. Remind me that Your blessings often come in unexpected forms. Amen.
Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens
