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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21
Ephesians 3:20–21 isn’t subtle.
It doesn’t describe a helpful God.
Or an encouraging God.
Or a symbolic God.
It describes a God who does immeasurably more than we ask or imagine — and then says the point of that is His glory showing up in the Church.
Not in theory.
Not in heaven someday.
Here. Where people can actually notice.
Which raises the uncomfortable question:
If the promise is visibility… why is He so often invisible?
False Humility
False humility sounds wise.
“We don’t want to overstate.”
“Let’s be balanced.”
“I don’t want to assume.”
But false humility isn’t making God big and us small.
It’s making expectations small so we stay safe.
We soften prayers.
We hedge stories.
We avoid clear credit.
Because clarity costs reputation.
If we say God did something and we’re wrong, we lose status.
So we choose language that can’t be tested.
Now no one argues with us —
and no one encounters God either.
You can respect a distant God forever.
You only glorify a God you can’t ignore.
Why We Do It
People protect belonging.
A bold claim rearranges the room.
It demands a response.
So we lower the volume until no response is needed.
Humility becomes performance.
Faith becomes philosophy.
We still believe in God —
just not in a way that interrupts anything.
So life stays explainable.
And God stays abstract.
What’s at Stake
When expectations shrink, God looks inactive.
When language blurs, God feels far away.
When everything stays cautious, God becomes an idea.
This isn’t about enthusiasm.
It’s about whether anyone can tell He’s actually here.
A hidden God gets polite agreement.
A visible God gets glory.
The Life That Reveals Him
Jesus didn’t manage perception.
He revealed the Father.
Not optimized for comfort.
Optimized for clarity.
And the same pattern holds:
God becomes noticeable when people expect Him, name Him, and make room for Him.
Stop Editing
Try honesty.
Pray like intervention is possible.
Say His name when something happens.
Act like He might interrupt your plans.
Not louder. Clearer.
Because the issue isn’t whether we sound impressive.
It’s whether God remains theoretical.
God is glorified when He’s unmistakable.
And what keeps Him hidden most effectively isn’t rebellion.
It’s careful language.