Mission Impossible

My friend, which people have you written off?

Perhaps there’s this one uncle of yours who’s in his early seventies and always acts like he knows better than everyone else. When you hear him talk, it’s like he’s the king himself. As soon as a comment is made, this uncle dogmatically states his opinion. That’s how it is, and that settles it! And believing in God? Simple. “God doesn’t exist!” he would say.

In your eyes, it would be a “mission impossible” for this uncle to ever give his life to Jesus.

Not so for Jesus.

No one is a “mission impossible” for Jesus.

At the most painful moment, Jesus had His very last conversation with a human being, the criminal on the cross. The criminal knew what he had done, but he also heard Jesus forgive him. That was the breaking point in his life. The criminal also heard Jesus forgive His executioners. What kind of person could do that?

“...‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ … ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:42-43, NIV)

The Man hanging next to him was full of blood, full of gashes and wounds, full of terrible effects from the hours of torture He had endured, but in Him, the criminal saw Jesus as King.

Immediately, Jesus accepted him, just as He fully accepts you and me.

Though a “mission impossible” for everyone else, this criminal was a precious human being in Jesus’ eyes. Jesus abandons every kind of socially and morally acceptable way of thinking. He loves.

You are not a “mission impossible” on any level.

God is not writing you off. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever.

With all your faults, with all your shortcomings, He wants to give you a royal identity. Live by it and go for it, my friend!

Jesus exchanged the thief’s dirty rags with robes of righteousness. No conditions, no transaction costs. Only acceptance.

Shall we pray together? “Thank You, Lord, that You do not write me off but that You invite me to live with You forever. Thank You for the joy of being with You. Here is my life. I give it to You completely. In Your name, amen.”

Your life is powerful when you live in the deep conviction that no one is a “mission impossible” for Jesus.

Questions to ponder:

1. In which area of your life are you still convinced that God does write you off?
2. Which people have you labeled as “mission impossible”? How will you develop new faith for them?
3. What is comforting to you about this story of the criminal?
4. What can you do to truly understand that salvation is a free gift for ALL who believe?

Remember…you are a miracle!

I am your friend,

Wilma Veen