JUST BELIEVE ~ Leslie L. McKee

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Just Believe

By Leslie L. McKee

“What do you mean, ‘If I can?’” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

Mark 9:23 (NLT)

Have you ever faced something that seemed absolutely impossible? I know I have—on multiple occasions. It’s likely that everyone has encountered such a situation at some point in time. Perhaps it was damage from a natural disaster, a medical report that wasn’t good, or a child who’s gone astray. You may run yourself ragged trying to “fix” the situation. What you find instead is something that feels like pushing a three-ton cement wheel up a steep hill.

Any of those circumstances could be overwhelming … and a “quick fix” is often way beyond our human control. That’s like what was happening surrounding today’s verse.

A father brought his son to Jesus. When the evil spirit inside the boy saw Jesus, the boy went into violent convulsions. This had been happening for years. The father had tried everything to rid his son of the spirit, to no avail. In desperation, the man went to Jesus, to see if there was any way He could help the boy.

Jesus reminded the father that “Anything is possible if a person believes.” What the father cried out is likely relatable to most people. He said, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Do you ever feel that way? Know that you believe in Jesus, but, on occasion, wonder if your current circumstance is beyond repair … even for Him?

Jesus wasn’t offering a quick fix, though it would be possible for Him to do so. After all, He’s more than able. Yet Jesus is seeking something else. He’s interested in the long-term spiritual fix … for that father and for us.

Like the man in today’s verse, we’re asked to believe. To have faith. Faith doesn’t put limits on God’s ability. If we trust in Him, we can be witnesses to great things. (Mind you, this doesn’t mean that we’ll automatically receive anything and everything we ask for.) But if we believe, we will see things come to pass according to the Lord’s plans. His power is released through our faith.

 Lord, help me to not put limits on You, but, instead, to fully trust in Your Word. Amen.

Leslie is an editor, reviewer, and author. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and The Christian PEN. Some of her devotionals were published in 2017 compilations by Ellie Claire: Just Breathe and Refresh Your Soul. Another is in Breathe: Devotions to Quiet the Soul, published in 2020. Her flash fiction story, “A Knight to Remember,” was published in Splickety Magazine’s September 2018 issue, and “Love on the Scrambler” in Spark Flash Fiction’s July 2019 issue.

Leslie enjoys reading, playing piano, crocheting, spending time with family and friends (and her turtle!), and rooting for the NY Giants.