I've come across that phrase a lot in my Bible reading.
And I mean, A LOT.
Seriously, it seems to be the only thing people can say when called by God.
Abraham on having a son: "But I'm too old."
Moses on rescuing the slaves: "But I can't speak."
Gideon on fighting the Midianites: "But I'm the least of the weakest."
Jeremiah on being a prophet: "But I'm too young."
Mary on bearing Jesus: "But I'm a virgin!" (Ok... I'll be honest, that one makes sense... but still... the point stands).
The first thing people think of when God calls them is all the ways they can't do what it is God's calling them too.
God's given them a "mission impossible"... and all they can see is the "impossible" bit.
And, you know, if we're honest... we're the same... I know I certainly am.
"Go pray with her." "God, I'm a stranger to her."
"Go do that." "God, I'm too young."
"Tell those people your story." "I can't, God, I'm too scared."
Really, my lack of trust is embarrassing. And I think if I spoke to anyone of the names I've listed, they'd probably admit the same about themselves. Because, well, He is God.
And I was at a conference yesterday. A really good one, Reachout. It's a place where mission minded people get to gather together, to hear God's Word, to worship, to find out what's going on... and to be challenged.
And boy, was I challenged.
Particularly in one of the seminars. Which is why I'm writing this.
The presenter said something that has stuck with me... really, stuck with me.
He was speaking about the mission God has called each of us to "don't say 'it's impossible'. Of course, it's impossible! If God was calling you to something that was within your abilities, where would God be? Where would the reliance be?"
And I realized... he was absolutely right.
Why did God promise (and then give) Abraham a son through his century old wife? To show that He is God.
Why did God chose Moses to argue with Pharaoh? To show that He is God.
Why did God chose Gideon to defeat the Midianites? To show that He is God.
Why did God chose Jeremiah to be a prophet? To show that He is God.
Why did God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus? To show that He is God.
And why has God chosen me to be His child and to be His Light? To show that He is God.
And with each demonstration that He is God, He calls on us to rely on Him.
When we fail, He asks that we watch Him succeed.
When we fall, He asks that we watch Him raise us up.
When we muck up, He asks that we watch Him clean up.
God gives us impossible missions so that we learn to Rely on Him, to Depend on Him, to Trust in Him.
He presents us with the Impossible, so that we can be the Impossible: Humble, totally reliant, the Wounded Healers, the Fearless, the Willing, the Obedient, the Servants.
God gives us the Impossible to do, so that we know that for God all things are possible.
If I could do everything God asked me to do, why would I need God? Heck, I would be God... and trust me, this world is messed up enough as it is without me in charge.
If my mission was possible, how could I learn to trust in God for Strength? For Love? For Forgiveness? For Contentment?
And if my mission was possible, how would anyone, myself included, every know that God is the One who made all things, know all things, sees all things and controls all things?
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "with man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Mark 10: 26 - 27 (NIV)
Well done. :) I really liked this one.
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