For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37
Not so long ago I heard of a teacher who was asking her class this traditional, adult question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Most of the class gave the traditional answers. One wanted to be president; another wanted to be a fireman; another wanted to be a police officer.
One by one they answered until it was Seth's turn to say what he was going to be when he was older.
Seth didn't respond as quickly as was his normal habit. Finally, the teacher asked him, "And Seth, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
Seth replied in one word: "Possible."
"Possible"? asked the teacher.
"Yes, I want to be possible." Seth said again. "My mom is always telling me I'm impossible. When I grow up I want to become possible."
Are there things in your life that seem impossible? There are in mine. My eyes say I will never fly a commercial jetliner. Bodily aches and pains tell me my chance to be an Olympic medalist is over. There are a lot of impossibles in my life . . . and maybe some in yours as well.
I know one "impossible" which brings all of humanity together.
We cannot save ourselves. Yes, I know all the other religions of the world say you have to try; you have to strive; you have to work; you have to struggle to obtain forgiveness and heaven. But the truth is, it can't be done. Earning forgiveness, earning heaven is an impossibility, even for the best of us.
This is why -- if we are to be saved -- it will only be by the grace, the mercy, and the love of God that is shown in the Savior's sacrifice.
In that sacrifice the impossible becomes reality. Prostitutes and publicans, sinners and semi-saints are saved by the commitment of the Christ -- saved by grace, through faith. It is a cause to rejoice!
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, by the Holy Spirit, I have been given faith in Jesus. May my life reflect the joy that comes in knowing Christ has changed my impossible situation. Because of the Redeemer's sacrifice I am saved. Thank you, dear Lord. 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: 2 Chronicles 35 Habakkuk 1-3 Acts 25
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