David Bahn – Reflections

Ephesians 3:20-21

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

I don’t remember his name, but I do remember his witness. He was in a nursing home. He was a shriveled man, hands and arms drawn close to his body by the atrophy of his decaying muscles. He didn’t move much in his bed – which he never got out of. He had a bright mind and wonderful disposition. And he would talk. But his tongue was swollen and his mouth could not form the words well. I could barely understand him – except for one phrase he would repeat: “There ain’t nothin’ God can’t do.” Ever more emphatically he would repeat those words as he lay helpless in his bed. “There ain’t nothin’ God can’t do.” Never mind the poor grammar; what he said is absolutely true.

Our dreams will be too small if they are shaped by a limited knowledge of God and poor assessment of the height, depth, length and breadth of his love for us. Our souls will be too little if our prayers are shaped only by the urgent needs we face. Our horizons will be too limited if our vision is focused only on the worldly realities and desires visible to the naked eye.

I was supposed to visit this man as an encouragement as part of my seminary field education requirement. We were assigned to nursing homes and hospitals and made our rounds to learn and to bless. We would read devotions, Psalms, and prayers. And often I felt like I was going through the motions of ministry rather than actually doing any good. But in the case of my “ain’t nothin’ God can’t do” brother in Christ, I was far more blessed by him and his witness to me than I would ever be able to bless him. One day I visited the nursing home to find his bed empty. He had died; my sense is that he simply couldn’t summon the strength to breath any more. But he is one of the people I look forward to seeing on the Great Last Day when faith will give way to sight. We and all who love Christ will be caught up in eternal praise to God who has done more than all we ask or think.

In the context of God’s great love, his mighty power, his glorious riches, and the fullness of his being dreams soar, souls are enlivened,  horizons open up wide. God is glorified. People confess, “There ain’t nothin’ God can’t do!”