Believing the Impossible
This has been a week for believing the impossible. A Republican in the Massachusetts Senate seat. The New Orleans Saints playing for the NFC Championship.
For many years the measure of “impossibility” in my circles has been “When the Saints win the Super Bowl….” We’ve said it with a chuckle in our voice, and perhaps a twinkle of hope in our hearts. But believing it’s possible? Well, that’s altogether different.
This has been a week for believing the impossible. A Republican in the Massachusetts Senate seat. The New Orleans Saints playing for the NFC Championship.
For many years the measure of “impossibility” in my circles has been “When the Saints win the Super Bowl….” We’ve said it with a chuckle in our voice, and perhaps a twinkle of hope in our hearts. But believing it’s possible? Well, that’s altogether different.
I’ve also been reading in Mark 10:17-31 this week. I love the way Jesus always turned His followers’ thought life upside down. One man asks how to inherit eternal life, and Christ peers straight into his heart and responds, “Go, sell whatever you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
In order for this man to truly follow Jesus, he had to let go of the thing that gripped his heart and guided his life.
Jesus’ response (Mark 10:23-25) shocked his disciples. If someone who had it all together on the outside couldn’t make it into the kingdom of God, what hope do the rest of us have?
Christ’s sage declaration is one of my favorite verses: “This is impossible for mere humans, but not for God; all things are possible for God.”
Do I believe that? Really? Some things in my life fit in the category of the New Orleans guys with Super Bowl rings and Mr. Brown’s triumph on Capitol Hill. Things my belief has to seriously stretch for. I know you’ve got them, too.
So what do you do with a God who can do the impossible? I mean, impossible for us. I think He wants us to ask for big things. Huge things. The things that can turn our lives upside down.
It might mean letting go of what you’ve clung to all your life. The place you’ve found security. The warmth of your heritage. But in the end, what you gain far surpasses what you’ve left behind. (Mark 10:29-31)
Go ahead– believe God for the impossible. He specializes in it. And when He answers, praise Him!
Kelly Arabie
Kelly Arabie currently serves on staff with Grafted Life Ministries, inviting believers into deeper relationship with God through intentional engagement with him and the Body of Christ. Kelly has served in pastoral ministry in the local church and parachurch ministry for more than two decades. She graduated with an MA in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary with a focus on ministry to women. Kelly enjoys writing, care for the soul, honest heart conversations and a hot cup of tea.
3 Comments
Michele
Blog
I love reading your blog every week…I can’t wait to see what God’s going to say through you next. Thanks for the truth you shared today.
Sharifa Stevens
Hitting a Nerve
Yup, you definitely hit a nerve. :o)
I am definitely no athlete, but I’m starting to see afresh that if I want a lean muscle to replace my flab, I have to tear and stretch and constantly condition it. Not a comfortable process. This is ESPECIALLY true with faith. It’s a muscle that must be flexed, challenged, exercised. And sometimes I would rather eat a twinkie than be completely vulnerable faith-wise…because with big faith risks (like telling the rich young ruler to get rid of his main security source), could come potentially bigger disappointment,or even worse…the unknown.
My prayer has echoed the man in the gospels who said "I believe; help my unbelief!" Thanks for the reminder to set big goals of belief in accordance with God’s will.
Anna
thanks:)
Mrs. Arabie,
thanks for the mother and daughter devotion book! Also, I always love to read your great blogs!! From: Anna