grace given me

I was recently on a cross-country flight when I was strangely overcome by how grateful I was to travel. Not just for the places I have gotten to see. Not just for the people travel allows us to spend time with. But for the miracle of flight itself. I know, it sounds weird. But thousands of feet in the air, I started thinking about the people God had gifted with the intelligence, diligence, and perseverance to make flying possible. The pioneers who pushed through unknown physics, public doubt, and repeated failure. We forget that people told them it would never happen. And yet, we board planes every day without a second thought. We sit back, watch a movie, and take for granted what once seemed impossible. We enjoy the fruit of someone else’s faith, courage, and vision.

In the Bible, there’s a story about when Moses sent twelve spies to explore the Promised Land. They go, they see, and they come back to report. Ten of them say, “the people living there are powerful. The cities are large and fortified. We even saw giants… the land will devour anyone who tries to live there.” And just like that, fear spreads. The entire community begins to panic. They want to turn back. But two of them—Joshua and Caleb—stand up and say, “let’s go at once. We can take the land. If the Lord is with us, we have nothing to fear.” Same mission. Same land. But completely different conclusions. 

And here’s what gets me: They all saw the same thing.

Nothing about the reality changed. Same facts. Different belief. Different vision. Because what you believe affects what you perceive. And what you perceive determines what you see. Scripture reminds us: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

So the question is—what do you see? What do you see when you look at your future? What do you see when you hear words like AI, politics, work, life, change, growth, calling? Do you see giants… or opportunity? Do you see lack… or possibility? Do you see limits… or a limitless God?

In the garden, after Adam and Eve sinned, God asked a profound question: “Who told you that you were naked?” (Genesis 3:11) In other words—who told you this narrative? Who told you that you weren’t capable? Who told you it was too late? Who told you your dream was too big—or too small to matter? Because God’s voice says something very different: “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Throughout Scripture, God’s people didn’t endure because life was easy—they endured because they saw something others couldn’t. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out… not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) “By faith he left Egypt… for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27) Moses didn’t endure because the path was clear. He endured because his vision was anchored in God.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith gives substance to what doesn’t yet exist. It allows you to live from promise, not just from proof.

Maybe it’s time to allow yourself to dream again. At any age. At any stage. What are the dreams tucked away in your heart? The ones that feel impossible. The ones that feel a little scary. Bring those to God. Be honest about your fear. Confess your disbelief. And let him meet you there. Because: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

He doesn’t shame your hesitation—he transforms it. He speaks truth over fear. He breathes courage into calling. And he invites you to see differently.

Lord, thank you for being a limitless God. Thank you that what feels impossible to me is fully possible with you. Open my eyes to see not just what is in front of me, but what you are doing beyond what I can perceive. Help me to walk by faith, not by sight. Where I have believed lies about my limitations, gently correct me with your truth. Give me the courage of Joshua and Caleb—to trust you even when others don’t. Fill me with your power, your peace, and your perspective. Amen.