Impossible is Nothing!

Matthew 20:17

I was a Cadet in San Francisco on February 25, 1964 when the then Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeated Sonny Liston for the boxing heavyweight title of the world. I sat in the lounge listening to that fight on radio when Clay first proved to the world that “impossible is nothing.” I love his now famous quote referencing the same:

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

We just finished an Officer’s Retreat in New Zealand and wish I had shared this quote with them because it fit the theme so nicely. Now here’s a territory I would have delighted to serve in. There is a freshness of spirit, a willingness to spread wings and attempt something new – no fear! After all, this is where bungee jumping made its debut, isn’t it? Extreme sports a natural here. Extreme evangelism a natural fit. I would be tempted to use the term “out-of-the-box” to describe the spirit of this territory, except…

I never use the term, “out-of-the-box thinking” because with God boxes don’t exist, nary a one to “think out of.”

Out-of-the-box thinking is nonsensical,

It’s absurd, boring, silly and whimsical

Would God be accused of thinking such?

Alas, He wouldn’t have created much.

Boxes non-existent with the all-seeing,

Boundary free when ‘bringing into being.

No old boxes when creating you:

“Behold! I’m making everything new.”

Interestingly, the “All Blacks,” New Zealand’s rugby team had just edged out France for the World Cup one week prior to our arrival. It was All Blacks mania everywhere, and we got caught up in the excitement. One of their slogans: “Impossible is Nothing!” Didn’t Jesus say something like that? And certainly with more mountain-moving credibility and life changing power than Muhammed Ali.

This is the spirit we sensed amidst the officers in this exciting, forward-looking, boundary less territory:

IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING!