Impossible

"We, like Thomas, find it hard to believe that God can do the very thing that He is best at; replacing death with life. Our infertile imaginations bear little hope that the improbable will occur. We then, like Thomas, let our dreams fall victim to doubt. We make the same mistake that Thomas made: we forget that "impossible" is one of God's favorite words." ~ Max Lucado, No Wonder They Call Him Savior

This 'theme' of impossible has come up in my life on multiple occasions. I'm reminded yet again, as, throughout this week, I've seen God move in some pretty amazing ways.

It started with a last minute phone call from my friend Colleen to join her at a Sav-a-Life banquet Tuesday evening, where none other than Pam Tebow was speaking. Both Colleen and I are Florida natives so we jumped at the opportunity. I didn't know much about the ministry of Sav-a-Life, but through the evening, was enlightened to the power of a vision and a hope that has fueled this ministry to live out the Gospel daily. To comfort, provide for, take care of, teach, and disciple young women through the most difficult decision of their lives. To keep or abort their unborn child.

Mrs. Tebow spoke eloquently in what was basically a four part sermon, complete with sub-points and scripture verses she had committed to memory. And as Colleen pointed out, with no notes! She explained how early on in her marriage, she and her husband made up their minds about the "Four M's": Jesus would be their Master, the Bible- their Manual, Eternity- their Mindset, and Serving- their Ministry. So when faced with the pregnancy of their 5th child, living in the Philippines, receiving no prenatal care, contracting an amoeba, and being told "it wasn't really a child, but tissue" so she should abort, they chose to trust the Lord. They had already committed their lives to be faithful. Well, most of us know who baby #5 turned out to be...none other than Tim Tebow, who himself, has a powerful ministry. In fact, all of her family is serving the Lord. She raised a family of faith. Now, at age 60, Mrs. Tebow finds herself with a new ministry, a public speaking ministry. Because of Tim's success, she's been called on to share her story and act as advocate for young women and unborn children throughout the south. She does it well, always pointing to her deep faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and challenging all of her listeners to put their faith in Jesus Christ, to prayer, and to serve SOMEWHERE. Though it may seem impossible to me now, I left encouraged and challenged. I want to be like her someday...Faithful.



More excitement came in the form of an email from my friend Liz in Romania. She sent out a prayer request for a Chinese Malaysian student named William. He was attending church and asking questions about Christianity. Well, he was being discipled through some New Testament passages over the last few weeks and the other night, he said he suddenly went from being 40-50% of the way toward Christianity, to 70%. Well we've prayed for him specifically by name and yesterday I got an email saying; 'The great awesome news is that it seems as if William has accepted Christ!'

To follow this amazing news, was something way more "impossible" ...at least to me. My sweet friends minister tirelessly through Campus Crusade here at UAB. They pour their hearts and lives into these students. However, recently a new campus group has become very prominent on campus, the "free thought society" aka the atheists. They often put anti-God and anti-religion chalkings all over the campus sidewalks. They set up booths to spread their message. It is disheartening to say the least. However, God pursues...and God always wins. As grace would have it, the president of the Free Thought society has been meeting with some wise Christian apologists, reading scripture, and having his eyes opened to the Truth. In his words, he converted! He has stepped down from his position of leadership in that campus group because he is now a Christian!!!!! How incredible!

Finally, today, I had the privilege of serving among 40+ adults and youth to renovate a house in innercity Birmingham. Ms. Helen has lived there for over 40ys and cares for her four grown children who are mentally or physically handicapped. She is helped by her 16y grandson but the house had fallen to utter disrepair. The need was first addressed by one of the widows of our church, Ms. Marcy. This faithful spunky 78y lady and her family wanted to find a needy family to sponsor for Christmas and was led to Ms. Helen. In the 3 months that have followed, Traci Hipps from Mission Birmingham has called on churches to pour their time and resources in to renovating this house. The 8th house Mr. Hipps has facilitated in what he calls GRACE MAKEOVER. It's overwhelming to Ms. Helen to think that she would have complete strangers reroof, replace windows, floors, appliances, repaint, refurnish, and invest not only time and money, but love and prayer. I'm sure if you asked her what were the odds of some strangers showing up at her house last Christmas with Christmas dinner, presents and groceries...she probably would have said, impossible.

This week has been greatly humbling for many reasons, not the least of which is that my own heart is full of doubt, reasoning, and often, just plain unbelief. I settle for the "norm" around me and fail to believe that things...that circumstances...that people...can be different, can change. That the Lord still does the impossible...


"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26