“Nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

I believe nothing is impossible with God. I believe he is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving—nothing is impossible with God. But then I hesitate. The question I struggle with is, “what is God’s will for me, for my loved ones, for this ministry?” While all things are possible with God, not all things are good for us. From my limited perspective, “thy will be done” sometimes seems in conflict with the promise, “nothing is impossible with God.”

It was a day of good news for what seemed like many unanswered prayers. Generations of believers had waited for their Savior by the time an angel visited Mary. The God who makes all things possible chose a dramatic entry for the Son of God: a virgin birth. Honestly, I think a virgin birth is an easy miracle for the Creator of the heavens and the earth. I think the greater miracle is the faith the Holy Spirit produces in this young woman—a faith neither coerced nor commanded. This is a gift of love, miraculously given and received. A baby changes everything!

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Luke 1:35)

The paradoxical power of love surrounds Mary. The will of God is no longer something distant and unapproachable. The will of God is no longer in conflict with desire. The will of God invites us into his vision with increasing clarity.

“You will be with child… the name Jesus… his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:31-33)

The will of God is wrapped up in Jesus. He is the revelation of pure love taking over our fallen and short-sided desires and replacing them with his reign of love. Mary is consumed. She doesn’t understand it all, yet she embraces her calling in the kingdom and allows her will to be aligned with her Lord.

"I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38)

That’s the miracle the Holy Spirit is still birthing in each of us. He is tenderly, lovingly, overshadowing us with a power from on high. It’s the place where we meet Jesus and, moved by pure love, we discover what it’s like to be wrapped up in his will. It is the joy of carrying around his vision for the kingdom. "I am the Lord's servant,” isn’t a sacrifice, but a new identity. “May it be to me as you have said,” is not said with hesitation or fear, but as the perfect place to receive the Lord’s vision. “Thy will be done” is the heart that sees “nothing is impossible with God.” A baby changes everything!

Every day God is working the impossible. We see that when we allow ourselves to be tuned in to his will. I see God’s will accomplishing daily miracles among us. He is revealing his kingdom with a vision for us beyond the limits we once imagined for ourselves. Look at just what’s happening in Advent. We have adults and children leading worship with their prayers, a service cycle visualized by the wreath in our sanctuary marking the places where dozens have already served, the inspiration and calling to send two of our own as missionaries half way around the world, and a special offering that is growing and surpassing what we figured to be possible. This baby changes everything!

This is only a small sample of the story of what is happening and what is possible when we are aligned with God’s will. It is the story of God’s power overshadowing us, lovingly taking charge, and placing Jesus at the center of our vision. There’s nothing impossible for those who are willing to fall into this wonderful grace and joyfully declare, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." A baby changes everything!

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