What Seems Impossible

“If you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.” Matthew 21:21 NLT

The whole idea seemed absurd. Many had tried to build a “flying machine,” but no one succeeded. Summarizing the popular consensus, the Washington Post proclaimed, “It is a fact that man cannot fly.”

Even the “experts” were skeptical. Navy Rear Admiral George Melville concluded that “all confident prophecies for future success” of any flying machine were “wholly unwarranted, if not absurd.” Yet, even knowing the obstacles, Orville and Wilbur Wright remained determined. They were intrigued by how birds could fly and learned from others who had studied the challenges of flying.

But they experienced many problems. After the failures of their first tests in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Wilbur became so discouraged that he declared that “not in a thousand years would man ever fly.” Yet they persevered, addressing problems, one by one. The brothers eventually achieved what seemed impossible, flying for the first time on December 17, 1903.

Their efforts had taken years. They had experienced ridicule and rejection, and endured storms and accidents. They were forced to depend on their own resources, having no government subsidies or outside investors. But they did what others thought was impossible.

Over time, many skeptics have laughed at innovations that later became accepted parts of life. Many things that seemed impossible have become fact!

Through His ministry, Jesus demonstrated the principle that nothing was impossible. Then He told His followers that they, too, could do what seemed impossible. How? By stepping out in faith.

In your life, don’t give in to doubt or be discouraged by skeptics. Renew your faith in God, and be willing to put your faith into action. Focus on His unlimited power and the authority He has given you.

Prayer: Father, I commit these situations to You: _______. Thank You that all things are possible. In Jesus’ name. Amen.