Dazzled by the Divine

Sermon Reflections from Dazzled By the Divine | Sara Wade | September 3, 2023

Have you ever wondered if the impossible is possible? Sometimes in our moments of desperation and pain, when we feel overwhelmed and have no idea what to do... we become open to God and seeing his handiwork.  So much of what happens in our life is beyond our capacity, skill set, talents, gifts, intelligence, or strength.  There is no way that either you or I could do or handle everything alone.  We need someone to come alongside us and give us wisdom, someone to give us strength, someone to lead us and guide us, someone to help us do what seems to be impossible.  This someone happens to be God.  

Matthew 17:18-20 says it like this...
18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. 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.”

The disciples of Jesus couldn't do what was asked of them.  Jesus had trained, showed, and instructed them how to cast out demons.  And yet they still couldn't do it.  And I know what your thinking... Of course, they couldn't cast out demons...that's out of this world...that's impossible.  Jesus, God, is asking humans to do only what God can do.    

And you would be right, except Jesus doesn't give them a pass.  He calls them out for their little faith. They didn't believe that God could use them to do the impossible.  They just needed an ounce of faith in God and God's plans to cast out the demons through them, but the disciples (the closest friends of Jesus) didn't even have that.  Jesus wasn't upset that they didn't cast out the demons...he was upset because they didn't believe they could. They didn't trust God or believe that God would use them.  They didn't trust that God, the creator of the universe, could cast out and destroy demons.  How is the world supposed to believe and trust in God, if Jesus' own disciples are doubting the Almighty?!? 

​Every day people are encountering situations where it seems impossible that any good could come out of the situation or that the situation could be resolved or that anything could be done.  We feel overwhelmed, hopeless, lost, broken, empty, and afraid.  But if we have even the smallest of faith.  The faith of a mustard seed then we can move mountains the scriptures says.  I don't know about you, but I am sure glad I don't have to face life alone.  That I have a God who is there by my side, leading me, guiding me, and helping me to make the impossible possible.  I can see a different path forward because of God.  My future no longer looks dark but full of light.   It doesn't mean it will be easy, it just means it's possible.  And that possibility gives me hope of a brighter future.  

May you trust God, may you be dazzled by the divine, and may you know that the impossible is possible with God. ]

Blessings,
Pastor Alex
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