When God asks you to do the impossible
When you give your life to Christ, there will be times that feel exhilarating like soaring on wings like eagles, raised to new life in Christ. There will be times that feel supernatural, like walking on water and looking full at his beautiful face. There will be times that feel excruciating, like carrying your cross and sharing in Christ’s sufferings.
And sometimes, God will ask you to do the impossible. Like there’s actually no way on earth you can do what He’s asking on your own!
Do the impossible
I’ve recently been in a place where the things He’s calling me to do don’t just feel impossible for me, but they feel impossible for any human. They are supernatural to-do’s.
When God calls you to something you absolutely know you are not capable of doing, you know what that means? It’s time for your faith to stretch beyond what you knew faith could do!
It’s not on you
If you’re called to an impossible task and you begin to feel defeated, concerned, and overwhelmed (speaking from experience here), that means you are looking at the task ahead of you through earthly lenses of what you can do in the natural.
There’s little room for self-reliance when in the company of the Almighty God who partners with our willingness and tiny scraps of faith and then moves mountains, parts seas, and raises the dead to life.
We obey in faith the part God’s called us to, and He does the supernatural and works wonders with it. Like giving an artist a bit of playdough and then being amazed at the jaw-dropping butterfly sculpture he can create!
Super + natural
Pastor Brandon Cormier puts it this way, “Prayer is supernatural. It’s what puts God’s super to your natural.”
No sense in feeling defeated if tasked with something impossible. Audrey Hepburn is quoted for a statement of faith I love and have tacked to my fridge, “Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, ‘I’m possible!'”
If God is calling you to an impossible task, that’s reason to start being filled with holy wonder! If God is asking you to do the supernatural, all that means is that He wants to do the supernatural through you!
God will do it
The heavy lifting is on His shoulders. He just needs someone willing to say, “I’m all yours. I’m all in.” Even if you add to the prayer, “I’m also nervous and terrified… but I trust you.”
If God is calling you to it, He will carry you through it!
That phrase recently flew out of my mouth talking to my kids about what lies ahead. And this has become our recent mantra in our home. Not only is that a powerful, faith-strengthening trust, I also appreciate that it rhymes. So we can remember it better.
Example of faith in face of fear
One example of this kind of faith came from the pastor I had listened to for years and been raised and discipled by his sermons each week. One Sunday, he shared something from the pulpit that shocked me. He said, “I have such intense stage fright that I used to vomit before each sermon, and still often do.”
What?! I had no idea!
All those Sundays, I was witnessing the power of God move in him and thought this was just his skillset. Nope. He was a man who was willing to say, “God, you’re asking me to do one of my greatest fears every week. But by your strength and power and not my own, I’ll do it. I’ll walk on that stage and open my mouth and share the words you’ve given me.” Commendable faith! Precious obedience! And inspiration to us all. Because God called Pastor Phil to it, God also carried him through it.
I just heard wind that Pastor Phil is now about to retire after 40 years of preaching. That is faith of a faithful man. That is a modern day picture of Moses lifting his hands so God would part the sea.
Let faith arise
If you’re in that boat today of trying to follow through with a calling or task that feels impossible, let faith arise! The power has to come from Holy Spirit to make it happen, not your own strength.
You’re on the threshold of miracles, signs, and wonders. And this is your invitation to be part of the fun!
So carry on and keep on going, one step at a time. Not by your own might or power, but by the dunamis dynamite wonder-working power of the Holy Spirit in you!
Because truly truly I say to you… If God is calling you to it, He will carry you through it!
Tell me more!
If you’ve been through a situation where He asked you to do something you knew you couldn’t in your own ability, I’d love love love to hear about it. These are the stories that strengthen our faith. And we could all use more of that these days. Share in the comments.
Cheers and toodle-pip!
