“Faith is reason at rest in God.”
Charles H. Spurgeon
I felt totally overwhelmed last week by what I believe God is asking me to do this year. Anxiety began to rule my heart and stress built as God’s “mission impossible” assignment consumed my thoughts. The very next day as I was reading Genesis chapter 18, I came face-to-face with liberating truth.
Let me set the scene. God promised Abraham a son through Sarah, his barren, ninety-year-old wife. She overheard God’s comment to her husband and laughed at the prospect, thinking she is worn out and her husband is old, so how will she have this pleasure. I too struggle with similar doubts and think, “How in the world is God going to pull this one off!”
In verse 14 God asks Abraham, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” I knew God was asking me the same question in regards to my own mission impossible. Of course there is nothing too difficult for the Lord; He’s God, the one who created the universe! I get stuck thinking God is finite, when He’s clearly infinite, without end and “subject to no limitations.” God likes to deal with impossible situations such as barrenness, sickness, and enemies encamping around His children. He looks at unemployment, a wayward child, and marital discord as opportunities to flex His muscles and show His children that nothing is too hard for Him.
The truth is “with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) In and of myself, I know I can’t do what God is asking me to do. In my strength alone, there is absolutely no doubt I’d fall flat on my face and fail. God is not asking me nor you to do it all by ourselves. The word “with” clearly emphasizes God’s involvement. He isn’t asking us to solo climb the Mt. Everests in our lives; He wants to come alongside and help us. The situations in our lives where miracles are needed, are opportunities for growth in our intimacy with God.
God exhorted me to not allow the words, “I can’t” into my vocabulary. He knows that’s a temptation of mine. He cheered me on with these words. “When you begin to think ‘I can’t,’ say aloud ‘He can!’ Because you know I am able to do anything I want to do. All things are possible with Me.”
Where in your life do you need God to break through? What Mt. Everest is God asking you to climb? In what situation are you waiting and watching for God to flex His muscles? What impossible mission do you want God to make possible?
God is not asking me to be superwoman. He’s simply desiring me and you to take His hand, to walk with Him, and to give Him what we’ve got. Then, just like the little boy who offered his measly lunch of “five small barley loaves and two small fish” to feed over five thousand people, He will take what we offer and turn it into a miracle. (John 6:9)
Being the teacher that I am, I have a short quiz for you. Look at your life and answer me this one question: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Your answer will dictate if miracles happen, whether or not you will see God flex His muscles for you, and how deep your intimacy with God grows. I know whatever mountain or seemingly impossible obstacle you may be facing today, God can pull it off! After all, He’s God, and with God all things are “mission possible!”
“Faith is to believe what you do not yet see: the reward for this faith is to see what you believe.”
St. Augustine of Hippo
Relevant Reflections:
1. Stoke your fire of faith by spending time reflecting on how limitless God is. Recall from your own life and Biblical testimonies how nothing is too hard for the Lord.
2. Identify your current Mt. Everest. Ask God to help you with the climb.
3. Wait patiently and watch God flex His muscles and turn your situation into “mission possible.”
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