Some just know how to get to the point with a hard-easy question. I was asked, “What makes you believe in God?” Ah, quick answer is “He causes me to believe in Him” — what does that even mean? Obviously, we had to have further discussion . . .
It’s a touch of impossible to answer this question with simple words. So I explained how I’ve experienced Him. She listened. I told her how my faith had taken me to places I never thought I’d go – and believe in things I never thought I would. In the impossible. It is a gift from Him for all who believe. He always comes through in His way, no matter how long the wait.
I met Jesus in John many years ago – He still waits to meet me there. While reading in the gospel this morning, I can believe six (no, seven) impossible things. The miraculous works of Jesus when turning water into fine wine, healings and cures, exorcisms, leaving footprints on water, feeding the masses with the catch of the day and raising the dead. And I believe every supernatural one of them. Believe is written and woven through the gospel of John ninety-nine times. That means the word (pisteuo) means confident trust and persuasion nearly a hundred times just in this book alone.
Just think how easy it was to believe when we were young — spiraling down to a place called Wonderland to go ask Alice when she was ten feet tall. The lunacy of a story of six impossible things, like a potion to make you shrink, a cake to make you grow, and animals that could talk. Far-fetched, but at the time we believed Disney. Maybe we’ve become too adult. We grow up and believe we have all the answers – until we don’t.
The Bible is filled with impossible things. So is life.
God masters in things that can’t be done. He intervenes in the things we think can never change (because they haven’t). No matter how long we’ve prayed or changed the words to the same concern – so we begin to think it must be too hard for an almighty, it must not be His will, it must be or not be . . .
Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible isn’t just a few words strung together by Corrie ten Boom to make an inspiring quote. It was her testimony in life. Her very difficult life. And each one of us can see, believe, and receive the same in our shatters.
When we recognize the insurmountable circumstances that we could never have come through except for the power and intervention of a sovereign God, it’s worth sharing. And this dear lady (and so many others) have shared amazing testimonies that have helped build my faith through the years. Whatever you define as an impossible, may your hope not be diminished by leaning on logic, but on God who can reverse the irreversible.
Many things bombard us every day to get in the way of having the solid answer to the hard-easy question – what makes you not only believe in God, but believe Him? All I have is my story ~ and His.
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:25
Verna
Glenda Mills says
Beautifully written by my dear friend who has lived this through all the years I’ve known her!
Verna Bowman says
That’s a long time ~ and you’ve been there by my side. Thank you, dear friend.
Marlene J Bagnull says
Amen. Thanks, Verna.
Lynda says
Hi Verna, I loved your words, “God masters in things that can’t be done. He intervenes in the things we think can never change …” You words encouraged me, for I have seen God work through our circumstances in the last few years – even relocating us! You have a beautiful ministry through your website. So nice to connect again.
Verna Bowman says
Oh Lynda – so nice to hear from you!I so appreciate your encouragement and grateful to connect!