Can You See It?

There are some things God has spoken very clearly about through the years, and other things that He's given me a vision for and just called me to pray for. But it's interesting to note that a common theme seems to be that the things God tends to call me to ask and trust Him for are almost always IMPOSSIBLE in the eyes of the world.

I mean, seriously, think about it: Who looks at Memphis, Tennessee, sees all its violence, crime, addiction, racism, etc., and assumes that it's going to be completely transformed so that it becomes a place where the Church lives out its calling as the Body of Christ? Instead of a bunch of fragmented body parts each trying to do their own thing, to see true fellowship of believers become a common sight. Instead of the "good" people staying away from the "bad" parts of town, to see brave-hearted souls willing to die if necessary to go after the people who are most broken and know it. To see the false walls of assumed-perfection come crashing down, so that people stop pretending they have it all together and realize (and admit!) their need for a Savior. To see what was broken be made beautiful by the redeeming power of Jesus Christ as the Gospel is lived out by His saints.

There have been so many people God has laid on my heart and told me to pray for, and in the process of praying for them He has given me His heart for them and caused me to pray bigger and bolder prayers than I ever would have prayed on my own. Friends, family, cousins, even people I didn't really know. But I've seen breakthroughs with so many of them! And while there are others I'm fighting for who haven't yet come to the point of surrender, I no longer find myself discouraged when I think about them. God has plans for each of them, and I know He is working. He is stronger than every sin and power of the enemy that can ever have a hold on any life. God is bigger.

So, I've just been thinking lately about how much God delights to do the impossible. Go read about Elijah and tell me He doesn't. Or better yet, go read Romans--start at the beginning and just go--listen to Paul as he lays out the "problem" of God's righteousness versus His mercy and love, and how Christ's life, death, and resurrection solved it. Read about the victory purchased for us through the blood of the Lamb, and tell me God is not able to defeat Satan. Think about the Gospel and what God's mission for this earth is, and then try to explain why it's impossible. With man, yes, it's absolutely impossible. But we're not relying on man, are we? I'm not. I believe my God, and I will keep trusting Him to pull off the impossible.