Nothing is Impossible

Most people in the church world are familiar with the the verse that reminds us that we can do all things through Christ. An most are familiar with the promise that with God all things are possible. In many ways these have become trite statements of the spiritually shallow. Before you stop reading, let me unpack my thoughts some. These two promises are completely true and trustworthy. I gain strength from both of them. Yet all too often these two phrases are used to justify us not doing our part in the work is calling us to. Mary, was not sure how it would work that she a virgin would have a child, much less the Messiah. Her recognition of God's ability to make it happen didn't mean the rest was easy. When Paul had penned the words I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, there is an assumption, that he was doing very difficult things, things that could not be done in human strength alone.

In both of these phrases I also hear an expectation. Mary and Paul expected God to move and act in their lives and world. There was not simply a trust God to provide and I sit back. It was I expect God to act as I am obedient to the call on my life. There is a key that we must be doing what God has called us to do. It is not a matter of God blessing and working with what we are doing, it is a matter of doing what God is blessing.

Take for a moment Saul in the old testament. He was Israel's first king. When he started he did what God called him to do, and God worked on his behalf and blessed Saul. When Saul was repeatedly disobedient, the Lord stopped blessing and working. In fact the Lord worked to replace Saul with David. In 1 Samuel 18, it is written that David was able to do whatever his task was, because the Lord was with him. Sounds kind of familiar. We know that there are times later in life when David is not able to be successful in everything, because he is not obedient to God.

It is true that anything is possible with God, and that through Christ we receive strength beyond our own ability. This is not a mere product of God being pleased at what we do. Rather it is because we are obedient and faithful to the call of our life. God will not simply bless what we are doing if we ask. We must seek after that which God is blessing, then we will do anything God calls us to do, fore nothing is impossible with God.