Life is a journey. We are traveling in two lanes. The lanes of impossibility and possibility. Staying on the possibility lane should be our goal. But we need to be aware that we can’t travel in that two lanes at the same time. It is our choice, which one to take. How often we exchange lanes? How long we are staying on the impossibility lane as compared to the possibility? These questions force us to think and evaluate our life’s journey.
How often you hear the word “impossible”? How about the phrase, “it is possible.” Consider what Nelson Mandela said, “It all seems impossible until it’s done.” We always heard phrases related to doubts and impossibilities. But take note, the word impossible is not really a fact, it is just an idea!
The statements of Jesus found in different Scripture passages show contrast on impossibility and possibility. In Luke 18:27 – But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” A similar passage is in Mark 9:23 – And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”
Let’s use the story of the 12 spies sent by Moses to spy the land of Canaan, as we dig deeper on this topic “Staying on the Possibility Lane.” It is found in Numbers chapters 13 and 14. The journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan began when God promised them a “land flowing with milk and honey.” Before entering the land, Moses sent 12 spies. Their job is to explore the land. They have done their job and reported back to Moses and to the whole assembly of what they saw and experienced.
How to keep staying on the possibility lane?
There are essential ways to stay on the possibility lane and not on the other side of the lane:
Focus on the Good Report
One way to stay on the possibility lane is to focus on the good report and not on the negative ones. There are two parts of the report of the spies to Moses, the good and the bad. In Numbers 13:27-28, They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. This is the portion where the good and the negative reports are mentioned. The land is flowing with milk and honey but the people there are powerful.
The additional report regarding the bad or negative side is in Numbers 13:31-33 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
The people clearly know the two sides of the story. They are aware of the good and the bad report. The challenge is, which side do you focus on, the good or the bad? Is it the positive or the negative? Focus on the good report and stay on the possibility lane.
Instead of saying, “just do nothing, it is impossible,” it is better to say, “just do it, nothing is impossible. Oftentimes, it is just a matter of perspective, just like the picture and illustration below. The words are the same but can be understood in two different ways.
Exercise Faith over Fear
Another way to stay on the possibility lane is to exercise faith over fear. Instead of entertaining fear and worry, trust in the Lord and have faith. in Numbers 14:8-9, it says, “If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
Take note of the statement “Do not be afraid of the people of the land.” It is a bold declaration of faith. It is a positive vision that overcomes fear. The people were fearful because they believe more in the spies who emphasized the bad and negative reports.
To stay on the possibility lane, we need to exercise faith instead of living in fear. Joel Osteen said, “God has brought you through before and He will bring you through again. Make a decision each day to choose faith over fear.”
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Believe in Signs and Miracles
We can keep staying on the possibility lane if we believe in signs and miracles. Numbers 14:11 says, “The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?
There are many miracles done by the Lord, even just looking back at the beginning of the Exodus story. The plagues in Egypt, the crossing of the red sea, the provision of food, and many more. These are the signs and miracles witnessed by the people before and on the journey in the wilderness. Unfortunately, the people are still stubborn and refuse to believe in the power of the Lord.
God is powerful. He performed miracles before and can still perform miracles today. If you want to live a life full of possibilities, believe that God is a miracle-working God. Claim it.
What are the ways in order to stay on the possibility lane on a consistent basis? (1) Focus on the Good Report, (2) Exercise Faith over Fear, (3) Believe in Signs and Miracles. Apply and live with these principles.
