"I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done."
Sometimes a brief statement says something so well, and this one immediately connected with me. I found myself more inspired than I have been by full-length sermons and well-written articles.
To participate in the work of God is to face and then accept a daunting challenge. That is true in the case of certain specifics but it is true of kingdom living and the kingdom mission in general. “Mission impossible” seems to apply. We accept it and embrace it not because it seems so possible but because it is the work of God.
And then as we find ourselves in the middle of God’s work, we don’t stay with it because it is easy but because it is the work of God. I heard about a book on Christian relationships titled Relationships: A Mess Worth Making. Relationships can be messy and difficult, but we stay committed to them because they are the plan and work of God.
Stage one—impossible. Stage two—difficult. Stage three—done. Yes, in spite of the odds, in spite of the difficulties, God works through his Spirit. In his own ways he still gets things done through us—not perfect things, not flawless things, but sometimes things that are amazing and always are things that matter.
So, simple and yet so true. In the twelve years since I was converted as a disciple, I have changed so much. I look back and can't explain how it happened except to say that God was at work. Every time I think, "God I can't give anymore, I can't change one more thing, I can't overcome this weakness," He reminds me that his "grace is sufficient for ME because His power is made perfect in MY weakness (paraphrase 2 Corinthians 12:9). It always seems impossible at the onset, difficult while I am going through, but then there is the Victory of seeing it done.
ReplyDeleteCharice
Savannah Church of Christ
I agree, many times right before the victory is the hardest time and you have to just hold on tight to God and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Before you know it, God has brought you to a higher plane. He has brought me peace after 6 years of turmoil, heartache, and worry over decisions our daughter was making. Three grandbabies later, many tears, and much prayer and surrender to God's will is finally bringing peace to my heart.
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