Maybe it’s not out of the question
Sometimes a worthy goal or task may seem beyond what’s possible. But when we lean on God, fresh abilities and opportunities to do good come to light.
Every day we make lots of decisions, both major and minor, about what comes next. And sometimes when contemplating a possibility, we think, “No, that’s definitely out of the question.” But sometimes, perhaps, we sell ourselves short. Maybe we can accomplish more than we think – more in a day and more in our lives.
This idea started to resonate with me after I read a Bible story about some of Jesus’ disciples. They had fished all night and caught nothing. As the day dawned, they may have wondered if they should keep at it for another hour or two, or just hang it up and go home empty-handed. It sure looked as though catching any fish at that point was out of the question.
But then they noticed someone on the shore, who called for them to cast their net “on the right side of the ship.” The disciples obediently did so, and couldn’t even pull in their net because it was so full of fish. They then realized it was Christ Jesus, their teacher and friend, who was on the shore waiting for them (see John 21:1-7).
Christ had shown them there was a way to achieve more than had seemed possible under the circumstances. They had trusted and prevailed.
What can we learn from this story?
Jesus taught of the beneficent and unlimited nature of God. His understanding and unique expression of the divine nature enabled him to accomplish the seemingly impossible – healing many types of disease, feeding large crowds with minimal supplies, and stilling a fierce storm. What’s more, Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also” (John 14:12).
We can better comprehend the unlimited nature of the Divine – and everyone’s true nature as God’s spiritual offspring – through several Bible-based synonyms for God highlighted in the Christian Science textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy. These synonyms are Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love.
For example, as divine Mind, God is always imparting ideas and insights – bringing solutions to thought that we might not come up with on our own. As offspring of divine Spirit, we reflect and express energy and creativity beyond merely human capacities. Getting to know God as divine Love empowers us to express enhanced compassion, forgiveness, respect, and ability to work with others.
Science and Health explains, “A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man. It extends the atmosphere of thought, giving mortals access to broader and higher realms. It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity” (p. 128).
God, the divine Principle of all creation, undergirds everything that we truly are and do. As we realize this spiritual fact, we find we can accomplish more than we had previously thought possible, on both a daily basis and in the greater scheme of things.
I experienced this once when I moved to a new city and was looking for a teaching position. Classroom jobs were hard to come by then, and at times it felt as though landing one was out of the question. As I pursued leads, I prayed to know that the opportunity to express my God-given nature was already established. This helped me feel confident that it was not impossible to find a job in my field that would bless me and others.
After a few weeks, I was offered a teaching position, but it was only temporary. I was grateful for this development and set out to do my very best with this assignment, all the while trusting divine Spirit was placing me wherever I needed to be.
Several weeks later, the principal notified me that the position had become permanent and invited me to stay on. I continued to teach at that school for several years, and it was a joyous and learning time in all regards.
Whenever we’re tempted to think that a right activity is out of the question, we can remember that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). And we can trust that the divine Mind, which reveals how to accomplish things we may not have thought possible, is showing us the way. Thank you, God.