I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
As I get older, I'm confronted by an ever-growing list of things I will never do.
Because of glasses, age, and a lot of things, I will never be an Air Force pilot. Because of middle-aged spread, I will never be a gymnast in the Olympics. Some things are just impossible.
That's what Igor Sikorsky was told when he was a lad of twelve. Competent authorities had already proven human flight was impossible, yet Sikorsky didn't worry about the impossible. As an adult, he built the first helicopter.
In his American plant, Sikorsky posted this sign: "According to recognized aero technical tests, the bumblebee cannot fly because of the shape and weight of his body in relation to the total wing area. The bumblebee doesn't know this, so he goes ahead and flies anyway."
Are there things you have felt that are impossible in your life?
Maybe doing the impossible is not as impossible as you might think. More and more grandmothers are skydiving. Whatever the impossible is in your life, with work and persistence, the impossible can often happen.
Of course, there are some things you simply cannot do. No matter how hard you work, no matter how long you might apply yourself, you simply cannot do them.
At the top of the list is saving yourself. Only our Lord, through the life, suffering, sacrifice, death, and resurrection of Jesus can do that.
But in other things -- like the bumblebee -- you may choose to just ignore the impossible and, by God's grace, do some great things.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, sometimes I feel like things are totally impossible. That may or may not be. No matter what my limitations, I give thanks because of the salvation You have given me through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and that the ultimate impossibility has been accomplished: I am saved. For this, and for all You do through me, I give thanks. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Proverbs 10-12 Acts 1
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