“God loves with a great love the man whose heart is bursting with a passion for the impossible,” said William Booth, man of faith and founder of one of the largest help organizations in the world.
Booth lived his life with an eternal, “impossible” dream -- to help needy men and women find practical and spiritual help -- and his dream came true in the form of the Salvation Army.
Today, millions of people across the world have been blessed in some way by this organization, and it all began because one man saw an opportunity that others didn’t. One man took action when others only talked. One man made sacrifices that others weren’t willing to make.
Every great movement has been sparked in the imagination of a faith-filled individual: every organization, every church, and every mission the far corners of the world. At the root of all good things is someone with a dream to accomplish something big.
Known or unknown, famous or obscure: someone prayed that God would use them to do something that had never been done. People chided them to stay at home and to stay calm. People said it couldn't be done—a noble cause, but impractical at best.
Yet time and again, the impossible has become reality. Nations are changed, miracles happen, and lives are transformed. Today floating hospitals pull into the ports of poor countries to provide free medical care (mercyships.org), Bibles are being printed and smuggled to oppressed corners of the world without freedom (opendoorsusa.com), and help is being offered in the name of God to the people who need it most (worldhelp.net). Thousands of needy kids in India are being shown love and care (iglworld.org), and the Bible is being translated for cultures that have never had a copy in their own language (wycliffe.org).
Whether it is the blind being given sight (cbmi.org) or the heart of a hardened criminal embracing the love of God (prisonfellowship.org); whether it is reaching the inner cities (sunshinegospel.org) or going to the outer jungles (ntm.org), God is waiting for those who have the faith and courage to attempt what humanity calls “impossible.”
My parents have taught me more about impossible dreams than anyone else. Dad worked at a printing company and Mom was a teacher. Neither had Bible training, and both became Christians later in life. But they both had faith. They were both willing to try things that seemed impossible. Today, they run an extensive jail ministry and manage a halfway house for incarcerated women transitioning back into society.
Where will the money come from? Aren’t you too old to start another project like this? How will it function? What about everything that could go wrong? Who will dedicate the time and resources to keep it going?
Jesus answered best: “With God all things are possible.”
How about you? Do you have a dream to serve others?
It might not be for a worldwide organization, but, then again, why not? Do you have a vision of how you can begin using your gifts, talents, and resources to make a difference in people's lives? The dream doesn’t have to be original. You can jump on board with something you believe in and help make it happen. Whether it’s your own idea or not isn’t the point.
In the Bible, the apostle Paul was no stranger to impossible dreams. Here’s his perspective: “All glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Eph. 3:20, NLT)
Today is the day to step forward in faith. Today is the day to begin fulfilling your mission in life.
Impossible, you say? Absolutely.
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