With God all things are possible

Have you ever personally experienced a miracle? If you are over the age of 18, chances are you have. Before the miracle occurred, did you feel hopeless? Were you all but certain that the outcome was going to be the worst case scenario? And then, seemingly out of nowhere, a miracle happened and instead of the worst possible case, you got the best. You are amazed, delighted, thrilled but also bewildered. How was that possible? Did I just get lucky?

Recently I was asked to join a prayer group for someone who was fighting for his life in the hospital. Someone who would be considered young, with a wife and children. A pillar of society, a good man. Things looked very grim. After considering all possible outcomes, the one I believed most realistic, the one Las Vegas would bet money on, was the one in which he didn’t make it. “This will take nothing short of a miracle,” I thought out loud. Although I did not personally know the man, I felt an extraordinary sadness for him and his family. What a terrible time this must be for them.

In the midst of my sadness, a great awareness came over me. I am human. Although I consider myself to be intelligent and an optimist, it dawned on me that my vision of the situation was limited by the constraints of my existence. I can’t see beyond my own experience or my narrow vision of what is and what is not possible. I am not God!

The phrase that entered my mind at this point was one I have heard all my life, “With God all things are possible.” If you believe in God, you probably have heard this and most likely believe it. I believe it but in this instance I had forgotten its powerful and deeper meaning. That realization stopped me in my proverbial tracks. Wait a minute! As a human being I can only see this man’s story from an earthly point of view. I am not privy to what God sees, what He knows or most importantly, what He can do. He can perform miracles! If anyone can turn this frightening, doom-filled situation into a blessing, He can!

As it turned out, the man in the hospital fighting for his life had a lung disease and needed two “new” lungs. On January 12th, he had successful lung transplant surgery. Now the prayer is for his body to accept the new organs and recover to live many more years as a loving husband, father, and as it turns out, pastor. Praise God!

Understanding that not all prayers are answered, I know that the larger picture holds what is best for us. I end all of my prayers with “thy will be done.”

The next time you find yourself in a situation – large or small – where you feel defeated, lost and hopeless, in need of a miracle, don’t let your limited vision dictate the outcome. There is “someone” with unlimited vision and unlimited power in charge. Don’t give up, look up. Pray, knowing that the ultimate miracle worker is beside you. You are not alone, but in the best company possible. Amen.