Saint Francis of Assisi, an Italian mystic, poet and monk once remarked: “Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Matthew 19:26 reminds us: “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Achieving the impossible is regarded as overcoming significant challenges or succeeding
in a particular objective that may be considered by most as unattainable. It suggests a strength of character that demonstrates a combination of resilience, determination, a positive mindset, and the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It may reveal a hidden potential and require pushing oneself beyond perceived limitations; essentially showcasing a strong will to achieve goals even in the face of significant setbacks.
There is often more substance to life than some may realize. It has deeper hidden connotations that conceal the fact that life itself needs a purpose to achieve true satisfaction and happiness. This can’t be gained by personal wealth or material items, which may diminish in value over time, but seeking a longer term relationship of meaning that is not primarily formed on earthly matters, instead, by divine acceptance. This leads to eternal prosperity.
In a metaphorical sense, the challenges of life could equate to a candle test. It seeks to assess the performance of a particular entity. It may highlight inner strengths or weaknesses in an individual as opposed to a wax or tallow project. Some challenges may require an overcoming of such magnitude or invention that has never before been sought, which requires totally new ground to be covered or approached to eliminate the source of the problem. Matthew 18:15-18 reminds us: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
If a candle is lit, its primary purpose is to illuminate a given area. But its fuller potential is immersed far deeper than that. Its flame may not only provide comfort and reassurance in a time of darkness, but can also proffer ambiance, decoration or aromatherapy. Candles can be used to calm in times of peace and quiet where reflection is sought. However, if an unwanted draught of sufficient severity suddenly emerges, then the possibility of the flame becoming extinguished develops. Something has to be done to alleviate the threat.
Revelation 19:11-21 reminds us: “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.”
And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.”
Many personal challenges in life may have formerly been considered insurmountable. Global mountains are a prominent feature where this reasoning may apply. However, due to advances in technology and technique, the impossible has sometimes been achieved with the summit reached and claimed. This has unfortunately resulted in cost to life on occasions, but for those who have succeeded, a sense of euphoria and accomplishment, never before experienced will surely have prevailed. René Daumal, a French writer once remarked: “You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen.”
Achieving things requires a purpose of life. It necessitates courage and tenacity to pursue. It may involve the abolition of wrongful deeds or perhaps sin. John 2:1-11 reminds us: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because[a] the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
Achieving the impossible is often considered an encouraged quality, but it should always be remembered that achievement is not everything in life. Sometimes it is best left well alone. Discernment indicates what should be attempted for the good of all, but solely material pleasures may need more consideration. They may gain wealth, attain goals or possessions and pleasure, which can make life beneficial in the short-term. However, the structure still remains meaningless if the fulfillment attained is purely in earthly contentment alone, and does not seek the benefit of a lasting objective and satisfaction. Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 reminds us: “So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”
Amen.
