I have never been a big fan of Alice in Wonderland. I have to admit it spooked me as a kid. Too many strange creatures, too many weird things happening. Then, a few years ago when Johnny Depp starred in the Alice in Wonderland psychedelically re-mixed movie, I think I had bad dreams just from watching the ads on TV.

But, despite my aversion to all things Alice in Wonderlandish, I have to admit, one of Alice’s statements stands out to me at this time of year. She said, “sometimes I try to think of six impossible things before breakfast.”

Quite an amazing thought isn’t it? When’s the last time you’ve thought about one impossible thing in a day, or a week or a year? Let alone six before breakfast. One of the unfortunate byproducts of getting older is that we can lose our imagination in the driving demands of what we call “reality.” Who has time to imagine when you’ve been up with kids all night, are not sure if you’re going to get married, are facing a financial crisis at work and are worried sick about your children’s future?

So Alice’s comment strikes against our better judgment. Alice, you should know that no one has time to think of six impossible things before breakfast. That’s a waste of time. By definition they’re impossible so why waste your time on them? We’ve got more important things to do like go to work, feed the family, plan for the future, buy a house. We can’t be caught in the world of day-dreams.

But isn’t it interesting that in the middle of our very practically oriented, needs-based world God speaks a word to us: “nothing is impossible with me…. nothing.”

He didn’t verbalize this to me like this, but it was verbalized to Mary in Luke 1:37. He reminds her of this reality – that the things you think are impossible are possible with God.

This is really hard to believe, isn’t it? Can you imagine that lost relationship being made whole again? Can you imagine your business coming out of its tailspin? Can you imagine finding someone to marry who completes you perfectly? Can you imagine having the kind of intimate relationship with your spouse you have given up on? Can you imagine the gospel transforming your life and breaking you of your addictions? Can you imagine this church being used by God to bring the transforming power of the gospel to every single person in this community?

Impossible? Maybe. But it depends on your angle. We’re reminded by an angel in Luke 1:37 that “nothing is impossible with God.” Does that mean that God is a cosmic vending machine ready to give you everything you think you want? No. Sometimes things we hoped would succeed don’t and that’s all under God’s sovereignty.

But here’s what I know, sometimes we’re too afraid to trust the impossible to a God who says all things are possible. Sometimes we’re afraid that our faith might be tested and failure might come and then disillusionment will set it. I say, bring it on. Bring on the testing, bring on the challenges, bring on the impossible dreams all for the sake of the glory and majesty of God in this place and in our lives.

It’s 2012, and yes, I’m refreshed by a New Year, but I’m also solidly anchored to the fact that the gospel changes everything about us and should be changing everything about the people we interact with. Our lives and those around us should be continually being renewed and transformed to His likeness – to His grace and truth.

Impossible? Yes.

But sometimes I like to think of six impossible things before breakfast.

How about you?

Blessings,

Pastor Tim