Unexplainable and Impossible
Dec. 7, 2022.
This time of year my heart is drawn to the incarnation stories. I don’t know why, but I usually skip the Zacharias & Elizabeth story and jump forward to Mary and Joseph. And yet it is such a necessary thing to start the advent story where Luke did. Young Mary was about to enter a twilight zone type experience involving angels, an unexplainable pregnancy, scandal, and an undeserved disturbance in her engagement. She needed some large doses of reality to help her process all of the mystical occurrences and become a willing participant in the unexplainable and impossible plan of incarnation. Heaven presupposed her emotional need and sent her to her cousin Elizabeth, who had experienced similar impossibilities, and was now six months pregnant. For Elizabeth it all started one unassuming day when her husband Zacharias, a priest, took his shift at the temple. While there an angel appeared and told him that his wife would bear a child and he was to call him John. Zacharias struggled with the details of this message, after all his wife was old and barren, and the name John was a departure from the family name. Given his doubts, the angel caused him to become mute until the baby was born. But during Elizabeth’s pregnancy young Mary arrived, and was told of the infant John leaping within Elizabeths womb at Mary’s arrival, of the angel visitation, of Zacharias’ muteness, and then of the unexplainable pregnancy. This was exactly what Mary needed – to hear a ‘real-time’ story that was similar to the mystical and unexplainable and impossible events that were now happening to her.
We must pause to remember that the way Jesus came to this earth was not, and will never be, a logical story. It pushes the boundaries of reason. And as Christian leaders we have been called to lead the ongoing ripples of this gospel story. We have been asked to engage in the unexplainable and help usher in downloads from heaven that are flatly impossible from time to time. Faith by nature has an illogical component to it. And being a leader in the Faith has an illogical component as well. But rest assured, heaven will pre-suppose our need for some ‘real-time’ examples like was done for Mary. My father once told me, “Be sure to read the biography’s of Men and Women of God on a regular basis. In so doing you will be in the company of those who had to trust God deeply and take large steps of faith. You will find this to be very encouraging throughout your days and the faith steps you will be asked to take.” I have remembered my fathers words often. And I am glad I took his advice, because the unexplainable and the impossible have both arrived at my door numerous times. It is the way of the gospel…oh servant of God!
Blessings & Boldness,
Verlon
Dr. Verlon and Melodee Fosner have led a multi-site Assemblies of God Dinner Church in Seattle, Washington since 1999 (www.CommunityDinners.com). In this decade when more churches in the U.S. are declining than thriving, and when ninety-six churches a week are closing, Verlon and Melodee sensed that a different way of doing church was needed for their 100-year old Seattle congregation. It soon became obvious that they were not the only ones in need of a different path. They joined the FX team in 2016 and founded the Dinner Church Collective. And then in 2019 founded the Dinner Church School of Leadership. There is a lot to be gained when church leaders begin to see open doors in the American landscape that they had previously overlooked. Therein lies the journey for those who will forge a new future for the American Church.
Categories: Uncategorized
12.8.22
By: David Bennett
In the moments of the unexplainable impossible steps the Holy Spirit calls us to take we need someone who can listen and identify with. Someone who has gone through or willing to go with us through this incredible moment in life. Grateful for the story so we can see the part Elizabeth plays in Mary’s life as she encourages and challenges Mary. Moving the impossible into the realm of the possible requires the assistance of others around us who encourage, challenge, and help us as we walk through the steps of the unexplainable.
12.12.22
By: Sandy Johnson
I love the reminder that “We must pause to remember that the way Jesus came to this earth was not, and will never be, a logical story.” It would be easy to lose sight of the miracles God wants to do at our dinner churches, in the middle of the hard work and leading a team of human beings. But when we focus on what you said, Verlon, that we have been asked to engage in the unexplainable and that we are to help usher in unexplainable downloads from heaven, we will remember that we have not been asked to manufacture anything. We saw God open impossible doors and provide through unexpected sources many times while preparing to launch our dinner church. And many times, since. Opposition comes, but I have seen too much to do anything other than expect God to come through again.
01.2.23
By: Maria Ward
The illogical events were preceded by the illogical message given by an illogical messenger: an angel. Even within the boundaries of some Christian experiences, the thought of hearing from angels seems outside of the scope of faith. But so many people within the scriptures did. I have been praying for my eyes and ears to be more open to these kinds of messages. Logic doesn’t seem to have yielded the results I long to see, so I’m ready for a little chaos theory! And interestingly, I have started to hear from more people who are receiving these “illogical messages”. Even today we gain by hearing the stories taking place in other people’s lives.
01.10.23
By: Steven Curry
When I read “illogical” I laughed under my breath. Not in sarcasm, but in truth. As I mature in Christ I learn and realize that His ways are not my ways and God does not have a set way of doing things. What I do see is that He has a purpose and a plan. I don’t always see that plan, but I am learning to understand His purpose.
The Christmas story is very complex. You have to know the details, break them then step back and look at the big picture. Our souls and our eternity with God in Heaven. It’s okay to look at the story from different entry points. Just don’t forget the big picture.
Having been a kid’s pastor for so long, I forget the big picture sometimes. Thanks for the reminder.
Steven