Six Possible Things

By Grace Post

Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt something was impossible? For me, the idea of coming to SAGU felt a little like this. As teenagers, we are often told that college is the step that follows high school. Yet, when I finished high school, moving away to college was hard to picture for myself. Up to the moment I crossed the stage and received my diploma, I clearly understood my role in life and the things expected of me. I knew who Grace, the high school student was. Grace, the part-time employee, was also familiar to me, but Grace, the college student, well, that was a new one. Occasionally, I’d get a brief glimpse of my new role when visiting colleges. I would watch students as they passed by, dressed in their sweats with their backpacks and coffee cups in hand, and think, that’ll be me someday. Truthfully, however, until the day I arrived at SAGU, unpacked all of my stuff, and waved goodbye to my parents, college Grace had always felt more like a dream. In some ways she still does.

As we go through our years at SAGU, however many they may be, there will no doubt come times like these, moments when we’ll look at what’s ahead of us and think, “I could never do that, be that, accomplish that. It’s impossible!" You may look at where you’re at now or who you are in the present and think, I don’t know what that future version of me looks like. Thankfully, we’re not alone in this.

Alice, from Alice in Wonderland, experienced this too. When speaking to the White Queen, she said, “‘There's no use trying…’One can't believe impossible things.’” Staring in the face of adversity, whether it be something small like trying to finish an assignment that you have no motivation for, or something big like stepping into a leadership position, but feeling unqualified, is never easy. Taking even the smallest step can seem like a momentous task for some. So, what do we do in these moments – the moments when we feel incapable, unmotivated, or like we're wandering around without any idea where to go next? How do we respond when it’s hard to believe that the impossible thing, whatever it may be, is possible? I think that we can find some wisdom in the White Queen’s response.

“I daresay you haven't had much practice,’ said the Queen. ‘When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” There’s that famous line, “sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” When read, it’s a poetic line that springs up wonder in the soul. When said, it’s a rhythmic mantra that sounds pleasing to the ears. Yet, I think the Queen’s statement before that is much more valuable. She tells Alice, “I daresay you haven’t had much practice.” What an idea! Practice believing the impossible. Whoever thought of that? The world would say it isn’t worth your time. To believe for the impossible is a recipe for disaster and in doing so, you will only set yourself up for failure and disappointment. That is, unless, you happen to know a God who specializes in the impossible.

Luke 1:37 is clear when it says, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

It’s funny how quickly our circumstances change when God enters the picture. The trick is learning to turn to Him and not ourselves for answers. This is where the practice comes it. Yes, it may take a few tries to get the hang of it, but that’s ok. Thankfully, God is patient with us as we learn. If we can just start and turn to God the next time the impossible comes, remind ourselves that we serve the God of the impossible, and invite Him in – we will be surprised to find that we too may begin to “believe as many as six impossible things…”

So, as we continue on the rest of our college journey and proceed into the next phase of whatever it is God has for us, consider these six “impossible” things and try to practice believing, despite the doubts, fears, or lies that may rise up against you, that with God they can become possible:

Six Possible Things

1. I can get my homework done on time

God, give me the ability to focus and the motivation to accomplish the tasks before me.

2. I can form deep and meaningful relationships with my friends

God, teach me how I can be a friend to others the way Jesus is to me.

3. I can challenge myself to do things that are scary or out of my comfort zone

God, give me the courage to step into the new experiences and opportunities you are placing before me.

4. I can develop good financial habits that will prepare me for the future

God, help me develop the discipline to use my finances wisely and in a way that honors you.

5. I can make mistakes and admit when I don’t know what the next step looks like

God, show me how to surrender to you in my weakness and uncertainty.

6. I can grow in my relationship with Christ, seek Him continually, and trust that His plans for me are good

God, give me a deeper understanding of your love and a greater desire for more of you.