Do you remember your first day in your first job after college?
Remember putting your child in a car seat for the first time in order to bring them home from the hospital?
Can you recall the first time you felt God’s presence during a worship service or at a camp?
Those memorable moments were times when we felt alive with nervous energy and excitement. We were very intentional and paying attention. Nothing was lost on us and we were completely present in the moment. We took nothing for granted and we were super grateful for what was happening. The awe and wonder overwhelmed us.
But, if you’re anything like me, those moments feel like a long time ago.
It was these kinds of feelings that were in the minds of Chris Brown and the team at Elevation Worship when they wrote their newest single, "More Than Able." In an interview with WNYPapers.com, Brown reflected on his many years of experience following Jesus and leading worship.
WATCH NOW: More Than Able (feat. Chandler Moore & Tiffany Hudson) | Elevation Worship
RELATED CONTENT: Elevation Worship Shows The Possibilities With God in "More Than Able"
“I don’t know what it is about age, but it can talk you out of a lot of things, Growing older can have you start playing it safe, getting comfortable enough with your life that you begin to operate in your own strength, or maybe even cause you to no longer believe God for greater things because you stopped remembering all that he’s done for you, or you’ve quit paying attention to how he’s in the rhythms of life with you.”
I found myself nodding along as I read Brown’s words. When I stop and reflect on prayers that God has answered, miracles I’ve seen Him perform, and crises He has carried me through, I’m blown away with God’s goodness and power. He saved my twins when they were almost lost in pregnancy. He saved my life during a violent rollover accident when I was 9 years old. He carried me through a season of intense burnout and deep cynicism in my 20s.
But, truthfully, I don’t think about those moments regularly. Do you? When was the last time you reflected on all that God’s done for you? When was the last time you paid attention and noticed how He was present in the rhythms of your life?
Before we beat ourselves up for this, let’s consider how old this problem truly is. Think about what happened to the Israelites between when they were delivered from Egypt and when they arrived at the Promised Land.
As they literally saw this abundant land, they ceased to believe that God was more than able. Numbers 13 recounts the faltering faith of 10 spies explored the Promised Land.
“But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. 'We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!…The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!'"
The nation rebelled against God, wondering why He hadn’t just let them die in Egypt or the wilderness. “Then they plotted among themselves, 'Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!'”
The rest of the story is pretty well-known. Everyone who rebelled against the Lord died in the wilderness, including Moses. Only Joshua and Caleb, the eleventh and twelfth spies, entered the Promised Land because they trusted God to fulfill His promise and give them the land.
Later on, after many years of battles and leadership, Caleb approached Joshua with a surprising request.
“Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.”
That’s the kind of faith we find in the lyrics of Elevation Worship’s "More Than Able."
“I've come a long way
I've seen how You work
There's so much goodness and grace
Much more than I deserve”
If you haven’t paused and seen how far you’ve come, friend - you’re overdue! You’ll find God’s goodness and grace in the little and big things - more goodness and grace than you deserve.
But, don’t just look back - look ahead. The song continues in verse three to remind us to move forward in faith.
“'Cause I know who I am
But I can't stay where I'm at
We've come this far by faith
And I just can't turn back”
That’s what Caleb did - he remembered how much God had done on his behalf and he knew God was more than able to move in mighty ways as he moved forward in faith.
Consider Chris Brown’s encouragement today!
“God is still writing your story, so don’t give up believing him for more. You don’t have to have it all figured out, you don’t have to know how it’s gonna turn out, just trust that God is in the details of your life working all things together for your good."
Turn on “More Than Able” today. Listen to the lyrics. Look back over what God has done. Take account of all that you’re facing today and what lies ahead. Remember, the same God who delivered you through all of that, and who did all of that, is still more than able today.
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer, and yes he does have the best last name ever. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani and they are the proud parents of three children. He loves helping people experience spiritual growth, increase emotional health, and discover relational healing. You can read more of his writing at scottsavagelive.com.
