Its time for a rabbit

"The difficult we do at once. The impossible takes a little longer." - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers slogan












Pulling a rabbit out of a hat is an age-old magicians trick. Countless folks have been amazed at a seemingly impossible feat taking place right before their eyes. The Corps of Engineers pride themselves on making the impossible look easy. Spiritually speaking, there are parallel analogous life situations where God defies logic and solves impossible life equations in order to demonstrate not only His ability to do so, but more importantly, to demonstrate His love for us.

I have found myself in many "impossible situations" in my Christian life, over the years. I look back at the period of time that my youngest son was going through leukemia treatments. I dont know how we all survived that cruel twist of fate, except by the grace of God. It was a situation that required divine intervention to provide strength and persverance just to get through one more day. It was an unsolvable life equation, much like an unsolvable math equation you might find in an educational setting. However, we made it. Kyle survived and we now know personally of Gods great comforting power and sustenance. We would not have experienced His presence if we had not gone through that trial. You could say, that rabbit took a while to arrive.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and are therefore a child of God, there is someone to help you with "unsolvable equations". The U.S. Corps of Engineers slogan from WWII fits the Holy Spirit's process, somewhat, to work all things to the good of those who love God and are called of His purpose. Some difficult situations are resolved quickly, but others take a little longer. At times, it would seem like a process of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, like a magician does; a seemingly impossible task/achievement.

Before I continue, lets look at an abbreviated story of a familiar American merchant:

J.C. Penney is a name synonymous with department store. He first launched his chain of "The Golden Rule" stores in 1907. In 1910 his first wife died. Three years later, he incorporated as the J.C. Penney company. In 1923 his second wife died giving birth to his son. In 1929 the stock market crashed and he lost $40 million. By 1932, he had to sell out to satisfy...creditors. This left [Penney] virtually broke. ...Crushed in spirit from his loss and his health suddenly failing, Penney wound up in a Battle Creek, Michigan sanitarium. One morning he heard the distant singing of employees who gathered to start the day with God: Be not dismayed, whate'er betide, God will take care of you.... Penney followed the music to its source and slipped into a back row. He left a short time later a changed man,
his health and spirit renewed, and ready to start the long climb back at age fifty-six. By 1951 there was a J.C. Penney store in every state,and for the first time sales surpassed $1 billion a year. [John Woodbridge, ed., More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 340-343.] The success of J.C. Penney can be traced to God's mercy in his life bringing him out of an impossible situation.

Do you find yourself in a impossible life equation? I do. I still have a health issue that is interfering with my ability to work and continue my preparations to enter full time Christian Ministry. So my advice to you, is what I must remind myself of daily; God will do what He has promised. Jesus made that clear, and these promises are recorded in many Scriptures, i.e. the Sermon on the mount in Matthew Chapter 6, "Seek you first the Kingdom of God, and all these things [the needs of life] will be added unto you." On another occassion, Jesus encouraged His followers that, "with God all things are possible" and "have faith in God". Paul wrote that ,"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

The crucial element in this equation simply rests on one important often overlooked element on our part. We must have faith no matter what. Because, some miracles take longer than others. You might say that it takes a little longer to get a big rabbit out of the hat, than a little one. In moments of doubt, remember that God demonstrated how much he loves us, by sending His only son to live, die, and raise again from the dead to enable our new life in Him. Remember why God does anything? It is out of love. However, we might not understand, at the moment, why He is or isn't doing something. This kind of reminds you of what occurs in a loving parent/child relationship here on earth, doesn't it?

So, have faith, no matter what. Stay close to God in prayer and meditation.

Your rabbit is on the way.

Blessings!
George