Unstoppable

"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

Last night we cosied up on the settee (as is our habit of a Friday evening) and watched a film. On this occasion it was 'Unstoppable', which tells the story of surfing legend, Bethany Hamilton, whose arm was bitten off by a shark. Instead of giving in to despair, she bounced back to take the surfing world by storm, getting married and having a child along the way.

It is not an overtly Christian film but there are several modest yet unmistakable references to Bethany's secret: her faith in the one who promised that nothing would be impossible - for those with at least a mustard seed's worth of faith. Bethany's extraordinary example proves the point and her eagerness to give credit where it is due is commendable. That the film does not make a big deal of the issue renders it very potent as a tool for evangelism. No one likes a hard sell but most of us enjoy a good story with a strong moral - and plenty of food and room for thought and discussion.

And for those of us who are not in a good place right now, what difference might the same promise which inspired Bethany's recovery make: "Nothing will be impossible..."?

You might not feel ready... Maybe you are overwhelmed? But, do you have the slightest suspicion that God is real? That is enough! Name your mountain and tell it where to go. And then prepare yourself for anything, bearing in mind that God is a good father. He knows what is in our best interest and how and when we need to receive it. It might be immediate or it might take the rest of our life. Either way the impossible will become possible because God himself is unstoppable - both in his love and in his power. He doesn't delay and he doesn't rush - because his judgment is reliable and his timing is perfect.