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.

OUT OF THE FOG ~ Leslie L. McKee ~ Devotional ~ Faithful Friday

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Out of the Fog

A devotional By Leslie L. McKee

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Eph. 3:17-19 (NIV)

I woke up this morning to find a “fog alert” on my phone. Sure enough, when I looked out the window, I couldn’t see beyond the edge of my front porch. It reminded me of years ago when I used to work downtown in a large city.

I loved seeing the skyline as I approached the city by bus. I had to walk a number of blocks to get from the bus stop to my office building. I’m barely over 5 feet tall, and I was always in awe of the buildings around me. Their height was impressive. I enjoyed seeing them rise up into the sky before seemingly disappearing into the clouds. Some of the buildings had very distinct architecture, which I found helpful. I’m quite directionally challenged, so I would navigate with the assistance of some of the buildings. If I could see them in the distance, I knew I was headed in the right direction.

On foggy days, however, it was another story. The magnificent skyline changed. Sure, I logically knew the buildings were still there, but the view was totally different. Instead of looming, they now appeared short and cut off. Their benefit in my navigation suddenly disappeared. Things felt unfamiliar, and perhaps a bit scary, as I was now left to figure out the direction I needed to go by other means. I felt lost, even though I was in a place I had been in time and time again for over a year.

This challenge to navigate is somewhat similar to some people’s spiritual journeys.

1 Peter 2:25 states, “Once you were like sheep who wandered away.”

Without a shepherd leading the way, it’s easy for sheep to get lost. The same can be said of humans, as well. Just as I used those buildings to navigate, Christ-followers rely on their Shepherd to lead the way … and to help them find their way when they wander or get lost.

We may not always know which way to go or what step to take next … but the Lord does. His love, grace, and strength (and so much more!) are always available to us. He will provide clarity when we’re confused, peace when we’re anxious, and guidance when we feel lost.

He is with us … always … no matter how many foggy days we encounter along the way.

Dear Lord, thank You for your clarity, guidance, and love, which is deeper and wider and greater than anything we could ever encounter.

Author Leslie L. McKee