But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

Nick Vujicic was born with tetra-amelia, a condition that has left him without fully formed arms or legs. His mantra though life has been, “I don’t need arms and legs; I just need Him.” In one of his books, Nick recounts, as a young boy, hearing the pivotal words of his tenacious mother. “Nicholas,” she said, “you need to play with normal children because you are normal. You just have a few bits and pieces missing, that’s all.” Nick has lived by these words, accomplishing what many would have said is impossible for a man with tetra-amelia. He has become a famous motivational speaker and author, who regularly surfs and plays golf. Together, he, his wife, and four children, strive to let others know the full potential available to them in Jesus Christ.

I don’t know what challenges you’re up against today, but we’re all familiar with the impossible. We know what it’s like to be at what feels like a dead end with no way out. We know how it feels to be grasping in the dark. We understand the feelings of helplessness and desperation. But, glory be to God that we serve an infinitely faithful, powerful, and able God. We serve a God who is able to make a way where there was not one. We serve a God who brings light to dark places. We serve a God who is our anchor through the storm and our hope that surpasses understanding. We serve the God of the impossible! So, what’s something seemingly impossible you are praying and trusting God for right in this moment? Whatever that may be, Nick had it right: we just need Him, and with Him all things are possible.

What is something seemingly impossible you are praying and trusting God for right in this moment?

But, I want to challenge you to believe in God for more than impossible. See, we often cry out in desperation to God in those moments—and rightly so! After all, we just said He is the God of the impossible! But, He desires a much more intimate relationship—one in which we run to Him in all things and for all things. He also desires that we surrender all that is seemingly possible in our own strength. He wants us to trust Him with the impossible and with everything that is possible, too. So, let me ask you another question: what is something you are currently doing completely in your own power—something that is possible—that you need to begin trusting God with today?

What is something you are currently doing completely in your own power—something that is possible—that you need to begin trusting God with today?

There is this crazy story found in 2 Kings where these sons of the prophets had outgrown their living arrangements. So, they approached Elisha and asked if they could build something larger. With his permission, we read that “…they came to the Jordan [and] cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, ‘Alas, my master! It was borrowed'” (2 Kings 6:4-5). Putting myself in this man’s shoes, I’d be bummed, too. But, honestly, I can fix this problem. If I was unable to fish the axe head from the water myself, I’d just drive to Home Depot and purchase my friend a brand new replacement. This is a problem that’s possible for me to fix. Honestly, I don’t know that turning to God would be my first course of action here.

I wonder how many of us are going through life like that—pushing through on our strength and solving our problems without seeking out God first. That is until we finally come across something we cannot do in our own strength. Then, and only then, we find ourselves desperately seeking God and His provision. Friends, we so often seek God only when we think He is useful; we need to learn to seek Him because He is beautiful.

We so often seek God only when we think He is useful; we must seek Him because He is beautiful.

So, what happened with our lumberjack and his axe head? We read in the next verses, “Then the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’ When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, ‘Take it up.’ So he reached out his hand and took it” (2 Kings 2:6-7). God wants to take us beyond ourselves and our natural abilities. In Him, things that were once impossible are now possible. All that we think is possible, He makes optimal. He is able to far exceed our expectations.

I have often heard it said, “Work as if it depends on you and pray as if it depends on God.” The intention behind those words might be good (because we do have responsibility and choices, after all), but I’m afraid that we have begun to live our lives compartmentalized. Friends, it all depends on God. The impossible depends on God. The possible depends on God. He does not desire a compartmentalized faith where we trust in Him for the things we cannot do and do the rest in our power. He desires the whole person—our entire being.

Today, may we make the choice to trust God in all things and for all things. May we continue to run to the Father when we encounter the impossible. But, may we run to Him for that which seems possible, too, expecting Him to do even greater things than we ever dreamed. May we, in Him, live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).