All Things Are Possible

I often see, and use, little snippets of Bible verses as inspiration or what not. However, this doesn't always reveal the true meaning of the verse. God's Word is so much more complicated, meaningful, and valuable than little snippets of verses. For example, let's look at Matthew 19. Verse 26b says, "but with God all things are possible." By itself, this is an incredibly powerful and utterly true statement. I recently watched a video from evangelist Louis Giglio about some of the stars that were breathed out by God at creation. That alone is enough to convince me that ALL things ARE possible. We could leave it there and be incredibly strengthened and inspired by that. But then, we would miss out on the 'so much more' that God has for us. What could be more than all things? Well, that's God for you. Let's take a look at the context of that verse. Verses 23-24 say, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'" Jesus had just been asked by a wealthy man how he could get eternal life. He had kept all the commandments. Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Him. It was like he asked the man to cut off his arm. Clearly, happiness and eternal life cannot be found through material things. In verse 21 Jesus told the man, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." What!?! If you want to be perfect! Romans 3:10-12 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." So not only can wealthy people not have eternal life, but no one can. But wait, back to Matthew 19:26. "Jesus looked at them (His disciples who had just asked Him who could be saved) and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" So "all things" does not necessarily mean I'll get everything I want in this world. But God's plans are so much bigger and better than what I can dream for myself.