Grace for the Writer’s Journey: The Impossible Step

Dear Writer, I hope you had a beautiful week and considered how to step into the creative power God’s gifted you. This week, we’re going to look at the core purpose of the grace of God in your life. And that is to empower you to do impossible things.

You see, writer, we often imagine God’s grace is an aid to our daily lives. And while that’s not wrong, the heart of God’s grace is to help us do what we could never accomplish on our own. After all, our introduction to grace as believers begins as God helps us take the impossible step from spiritual death to life in Christ. Every step in our walk with Him thereafter is another step we take by His strength alone. And here’s the marvelous thing about God…

This is no limit to Him. His question to each of us is, “How much of Me do you want to hold? What will you trust Me to do through you?” That is a large question. One that feels like it calls for big faith. But really, it’s a call to trust His grace to accomplish through us what we could never do on our own.

But before we jump in, let’s look at others whose bold trust in God allowed Him to display His power in marvelous ways….

The Impossible Step in History 

Mother Cabrini is a good example of a woman who was willing to trust God for the impossible. Though women weren’t allowed to lead missions in the Catholic Church at that time, Cabrini had her heart set on starting an orphanage in China. Instead, the Pope sent her to help Italian orphans in New York. There, she met a whole new set of impossible situations that could have easily convinced her to abandon her dream. 

Through persistent faith, Cabrini not only to established an orphanage, school, and hospital in New York, but eventually the Chinese orphanage she’d dreamed of. And countless other orphanages and schools across the globe along the way.

You see, writer, part of taking the impossible step lies in not despising small beginnings. Because our faithfulness to persistently make those first small steps is what prepares us for the rest. Not only that, it expands us so that God do His exceedingly abundantly more than all we could ever ask or think.

The Impossible Step in the Bible 

Joshua is another amazing example of a man who trusted God for the impossible. As Joshua faced Jericho’s impregnable walls, he moved forward in faith of God’s promise to deliver the land into Israel’s hand. As he did, Joshua encountered the Lord, who gave him a battle plan nearly as impossible. They were to march around the city once a day for six days and, on the seventh, to march seven times and give a great shout.

Joshua trusted this unusual grace and obeyed the Lord exactly. As a result, news of Jericho’s fall struck fear in the hearts of the surrounding nations as God continued to lead them forward.

You see, writer, taking the impossible step is not about heroics as much as about fully trusting whatever God’s said to us. It’s knowing that, as we move forward in faith, God will continue to meet and instruct and guide us.

The Impossible Step in Life 

I took an impossible step when God asked me to submit to a manager I knew didn’t have the purposes of the ministry I worked for at heart. When I pointed out the incongruence, I was met with immediate resistance from—everyone! God graciously showed me I could persist and get fired. Or, I could submit to the manager and trust Him with the situation.

I spent some time in earnest, tearful conversation with Him and chose to submit. To my surprise, God immediately granted me unusual favor. I quickly became a favorite employee and, over the next six months, learned much about my field from the manager. Later, when God moved the manager from the organization, I had grown in my professional skills and sanctification and had maintained a strong relationship with the ministry.

The Impossible Step in Your Life

You see, writer, taking the impossible step is really about trusting God presence and power in your situation. It’s trusting Him to use every part of the process to take you where He intends. More than that, it’s about recognizing God has a bigger picture and larger purpose in view and will meet our obedience in remarkable ways. Let me show you…

• • And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
  • No unbelief made [Abraham] waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. – Romans 4:20-21
  • Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. – John 14:12-14

You see, taking the impossible step is really about knowing who God is. And it’s closely linked to the depth of our trust and relationship with Him. Because here’s the thing… 

Though Abraham and Joshua had impossible promises, their relationship with God equipped them to step out boldly. And  for each of them, that relationship grew over time and ultimately led to outstanding demonstrations of God’s power through them. And testimonies that still bear witness to us today.

Where to Start with the Impossible Step

So are you ready to pursue the impossible dream God has called you to? Here are a few things to keep in mind…

1. 1. Write the Vision. Write down all you know about the call God’s given you. Find scriptures that support it that you can stand on. Read, pray, and recite that call and those promises every day. You see, God told Joshua that it was by mediating His word that Joshua would find good success. It’s no different for us today.
   2. Get to Know God. Spend time daily in prayer and Bible study. Specifically study the scriptures to learn God’s character, nature, attributes, and priorities. I encourage you to start your daily Bible reading by asking God to reveal His heart to you in His word. Then, be sure to journal the insights and verses that stand out, your thoughts and questions about them, and what God is showing you. This is a wonderful way to begin to learn the heart of God.
   3. Take the Next Step. Whatever God has asked you to do—whether writing related or life related—take that step. You see, combined with Bible study and prayer, obedience is one of the very best ways to know God better. Because it’s as we move forward in faith He faithfully meets us with guidance, instruction, and correction. As we experience Him this way, it builds our confidence in His faithfulness and emboldens us to take the next step!
   4. Engage in Community. Getting plugged into true Christian community is an essential aspect of getting to know God. As we engage with His body, His manifold grace is reflected to us through others in ways we’d never experienced before. Through our brothers and sisters in Christ, we receive unexpected strength and wisdom. Because here’s the deal…

We cannot attain God’s impossible dreams for us on our own. We must have God’s grace. And that grace comes through His word, our personal walk with Him, and often…through others. And here’s the deal. The heart of taking the impossible step lies in learning to allow God to do His work in His way.

Just like God used the Pope and difficulties in New York to prepare Cabrini for a reality bigger than her impossible dream in China. Just like God stretched Israel’s trust to engage in unconventional warfare to show His glory to the nations. Just like He used an ill-fitted manager to equip me for a larger work both professionally and spiritually, while He restored the ministry. And here’s the real deal…

In each of these instances, the glory goes to God alone and serves as a witness to the world. And that’s really what partnering with God’s grace is about. It’s allowing Him—in His time and way—to make you writing and life a witness, too.

So if you’ve been shrinking back from God’s call for your life, I encourage you to trust Him for that impossible dream! Then begin to get to know Him more as you take the next right step forward. As you do, you will step into His amazing adventure as you allow Him to write a story with your life that shines His glory for all to see.

#impossible #faith #glory #EveryWriterWriting