There’s an old adage that asks the question “How do you eat an elephant?” Few of us have ever contemplated an elephant steak dinner, and fewer still have actually consumed a plate of pachyderm. Even if enamored by the flavor and texture of elephant meat, would it be possible to eat an entire elephant? The sensible answer is of course, no. Elephants are much too large and human stomachs too small for any one person to eat an whole elephant. Since this is the case, what is the purpose of the question, and what is the answer?
The purpose of the question is not contemplating an elephant feast, but to evaluate ways to do what is impossible. The correct answer is “one bite at a time.” Every single one of us will face impossible situations in life, circumstances that are larger than our ability to change them. Things that are impossible are certain to arise, and our response to them will determine the success or failure of our lives. No matter what difficulties we may face, the only way to deal effectively with them is to take one step at a time.
ASK FOR ANYTHING
When considering an impossible situation, the disciples questioned Jesus. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” (Mark 10:27) God asks us all to do the impossible. He never asks us to do what is possible, for what is possible does not require His assistance. Since all things are possible with God, we must be willing to believe and act: to I am believe what He says in His W ord, and to live accordingly. Paul wrote “for we walk by faith, not by sight:” (2 Cor 5:7) Living by faith and doing the impossible is not accomplished in one giant leap: it is realized by simply walking step by step towards our goals and dreams.
Is there an elephant in the room of your life? Are you facing an impossible situation? If you are, then take heart. If it is impossible for you, then it must be possible with God. He will do it in and through you when you take one step at a time, walking by faith. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you do the impossible? One step at a time, for “…If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) When we believe and live accosting to this truth, we can do anything. Jesus said “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! (John 15:7) What do you want? In God the impossible becomes possible. Anything you want and can believe God for is yours. Think about it!
