Lord of the Impossible

‘But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” Luke 9:13 (NRSV)

Seems to me that Jesus’ words to his disciples were quite outrageous. Imagine twelve men being expected to feed over 5,000 people with nothing to draw upon but five loaves of bread and two fish. The disciples must have scoffed at Jesus, thinking He had gone mad!

I wonder if we don’t also respond in the same way when our Heavenly Father asks us to do something that seems to us outrageously impossible. He may ask us to love those who persecute and ridicule us, to give more than we have, to forgive someone who has deeply hurt us or to speak before others about our faith when we are paralysed with fear. What is God’s difficult request that causes you to balk?

Notice, however, that in the remainder of this story Jesus gives clear, orderly instructions as to how this seemingly impossible task is to be carried out. He helps the disciples in their moment of confusion and helplessness. They are not left alone, and neither are we. Jesus the miracle-worker, will work his miracles through us. We are simply the conduit by which God can do great things.

Thankfully, we are not called to work miracles. Instead we are asked to be willing vessels – offering open hearts and open hands to whatever God requires to do through us. How willing are we? Surrender to God knowing that He can do seemingly more than we could possibly imagine according to His power at work in us. —Jennifer Woodley