We live not only our own lives, but whether we know
it or not, also the life of our time.
-Laurens Van Der Post
The times we are living in have seen the improbable happen on such a regular basis it has become commonplace. The difference between something not likely to happen (improbable) and not able to occur (impossible) may not be as wide as you think. In a place and time where the improbable happens, we need to define and look closely for the impossible as well.
In 1959 the Ohio legislature approved the state motto, “With God, All Things Are Possible”. This motto is taken from the book of Matthew (19:16-30) where Jesus is explaining to his closest followers the dichotomy of improbable and impossible during the times they lived. ” ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ ” Matthew 19:26. The improbable can, does and will happen. The impossible only happens with God.
What IS impossible and what IS improbable? Jesus said the impossible is God’s domain so let’s look at His Word. A world and the creatures that inhabit it created out of nothing (Genesis 1 and 2). A virgin birth (Matthew 1:23). Guys walking on water in the middle of a storm (Matthew 14:29). A flood covering the entire earth (Genesis 7:6) and killing all but a chosen few. Parting a large sea and immediately walking through the divide on DRY land (Exodus 14:21). Controlling water and wind with your words (Matthew 8:26). Rising from the dead and being seen by hundreds of witnesses (1 Cor. 15:5-8). The list goes on. Fact check anyone else pulling those off with success.
Notice, things we consider impossible involve God…nature and His creations. “He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns midnight into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land- the Lord is his name.” Amos 5:8. Outside of God, it’s only the improbable that can and does happen, not the impossible.
2020 is giving us a fireworks finish with the improbable. Our times are marked with technological advances that have made what once seemed the improbable, an everyday convenience. Science, has given us the probability of curing and understanding great mysteries in record time. In mathematics, what was thought to be statistically impossible has proven probable and elected politicians for the highest office in our country. The coming days will be more proof that the improbable is defining our time.
Current events should be an encouragement for Christ followers. We need to remember that with God, the impossible is probable for those with faith in Him. Too often, people are retreating into their shrinking lives and losing faith thinking the best days are behind us. We are told to “live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” 1 Peter 1:17. Our best life is not here and now and I don’t want it to be. If I live for eternity, I want my best life to be then; not now.
Daniel was a guy who lived the impossible in his time because of his faith in God. Daniel came out of a lions den untouched and his brothers escaped a furnace heated seven times hotter than normal without a hair singed. That’s not improbable, that’s impossible, right? Daniel knew the God of possibilities and described Him accordingly. ” ‘He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things: he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.’ ” Daniel 2:21-22. I want more of God’s possible and less of the world’s probable.
Daniel also talks about a time when a particular leader in the world will step up and try to make the impossible happen. Notice, when men attempt the impossible, they directly reference the One for whom nothing is impossible. Of this particular world leader Daniels says, “He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws.” Daniel 7:25. When the impossible happens, God will be given the credit, no one else. For the record, the ‘end times’ are all times since Christ ascended into heaven. Rising and ascending after being 6 feet under. Another impossible thing, huh?
We are living in a time we need to know the difference between improbable and impossible, so as not to be confused and doubtful. What do you think IS improbable?….Aliens? Reference the former head of Israel’s space security program for 30 years who insists he and many others KNOW of aliens walking among us….Astrological alignments like the Star of Bethlehem? Look in the skies on December 21 to see a light the scientist say will rival the full moon and what many believe was the same alignment of stars when Jesus was born….Trump being President on January 21, 2021? Improbable? Yes.
We may be trapped by the times we live in but God made them all for His purpose. “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” Acts 17:26. WE are alive at this time in history because He wanted it this way.
Just as Esther came to her place and time in life for a designated purpose (Esther 4:14, great story), we have as well. Why? “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:27. Let the improbable point us back to our faith and God, not away from Him.
As the improbable make the headlines, seek God and His Son, Jesus to see and be a part of the impossible. Christ followers are created for bringing the impossible to our times. The letters in red are true…” ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you’. ” Matthew 17:20. With God all things are possible. Christians have the Holy Spirit, which is God, so we can facilitate, see and believe in what others call impossible.
Jesus did qualify our part in seeing and bringing about the impossible on earth. He repeatedly says we must have faith in HIM. Unbelief (Matthew 17:17-20) lukewarm faith (Revelation 3:16)), timidity (2 Timothy 1:7) and doubt will only leave you with probability. “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” James 1:6-8.
That verse fits nicely into our times in December 2020. Many have lost faith and doubt…the election process, government officials and even our democratic Republic. Many have lost faith in family, friends…and God. The times are like a storm tossed sea of improbabilities that have made our nation and it’s people unstable and double minded in everything. It is the time to return to the stability of God.
During our times, the lines are being re-drawn between nations and people. It is imperative to know the difference between a friend and the people and acquaintances of our time. The writer of Proverbs defines a friend as… “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17. Adversity IS front and center in 2020. Keep your friends close.
Paul was more pointed about acquaintances during these times. “But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud abusive…..Have nothing to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. This is a time to separate the wheat from the chaff…friends from acquaintances…goats and sheep.
The times we live in can be divisive, unstable and disheartening, but they don’t have to be. Since we were created and are living during this time according to HIS design and plan, there is a key to joy, contentment and #winning. “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:6.
Recognize God is VERY alive and active during our time. Learn His ways. Respect and submit to how He leads.
Live with the improbable and let it BUILD your faith in Him.
Look for the impossible and see God intervene in history.