When Jerry & Dorothy spoke, they shared a verse with the Church that has changed and continues to change their perspective in life as they walk in God’s purposes.
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 (ESV)
This verse has the ability to change your perspective from what we think we know to what God knows. It moves us from relying on what we see to what God sees. It propels us to place our faith and hope in God who has no limitations.
As humans we naturally rely on our own knowledge and understanding forgetting the limitations that we may consciously or unconsciously place on ourselves.
For myself, I find that when I cannot conceive how it may be possible to do things or accomplish what God is asking me to do, I start to place limitations on what God can do. However, the scripture reminds us to:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Even with that in mind I find that I default to asking others what they think and what they would do in hopes of finding a way. There is nothing wrong with getting wise counsel as the scripture says:
“For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”
Proverbs 24:6 (ESV)
However, I realized that my inquiry may be leaning more towards a lack of trust in God rather than seeking wise counsel. If I default to others before God, is that really wise? What does that say about my relationship with God?
If I go to God first and He speaks to me but I give more adherence to the words of others than perhaps I’m not actually trusting God with all my heart?
If I’m seeking confirmation, is it based on fear or faith? Am I looking to confirm what God has said or am I looking to confirm my apprehensions?
When we begin to ask ourselves what is it that is keeping us from believing God we can uncover some of the limitations we may have placed on ourselves or adopted from others.
Consider this train of thought:
The next time you come across someone who tells you “No, you can’t do that” or “I wouldn’t do that if I were you”, ask yourself, did the person who is telling you not to do it ever attempt what you’re trying to do?
If their answer is no, then maybe you shouldn’t be taking their advice. If their answer is yes, then ask yourself, what was their outcome? Was their situation similar to yours? Were you under the same circumstances?
If not, maybe there’s a chance that you can do the thing they are telling you not to do.
If so, then ask yourself, are they you? The answer here should be a clear no.
If you still have any hesitations based on the limitations you have placed on yourself, perhaps you should consider WHO is in YOU.
The scriptures say:
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”
1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV)
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 (ESV)
Nothing is impossible with God. With Christ living in us we have the ability to do what God is calling us to do.
Father, we thank you for the gift of grace that is your son Jesus. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit that empowers us to do your will. May we continue to place our faith and hope in Christ who lives in us. Let us remember that nothing is impossible with God as we seek to do your will. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen!