by Kariss Lynch, @Kariss_Lynch

“What are your impossibles?” This was a question Rachel Hauck asked at Deep Thinkers Retreat in February. “What are the things that only God can accomplish?”

She asked us to make a list, to spend some time giving them to the Lord. It was an interesting mentality shift, a practice of surrender. When we identify our plans as dreams or goals, we can usually create a “to do” list to at least put us closer to accomplishing those items. But when you make a List of Impossibles, it is an immediate identification that you are not in control, and only God can accomplish these items if He so chooses.

So I made my list. Hands open. Dreaming big. Knowing not one of those lines on the page is within my ability to tackle independently. Y’all, the list included a ministry and writing a television series…and they were separate items. I don’t dream small. But I don’t think God is a God of small dreams. In fact, if you are a believer in the God of the Bible, He told Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Last time I checked, I don’t think we actually have an accurate count of the stars.

God likes to go big. So why shouldn’t we go big with our List of Impossibles? But I think before we fully trust God with our list (and with whatever He deems best there), we have to wrestle with a few other questions:

What expectations or entitlement do you need to release?

We can’t approach our list with entitlement or expectation. This list has to be written and then held loosely. You must be ready to do the hard thing, the uncomfortable thing, the sacrificial thing. You have to be ready for the journey. There’s no room for an entitled heart when things don’t go your way. Get frustrated, then get back up. Keep working.

 What fears need to be replaced with action?

Full confession, I had to write down some fears this week, some checklist items that require vulnerability and a lack of comfort on my part. I’ve been putting them off for a couple months. But it’s time to realize that my fear of rejection or an answer I don’t want is creating passivity. Ultimately, it is hindering action and movement to the next step. There isn’t room for that in this list. Banish fear. Keep trusting.

 What steps can you take to just start?

This list calls for active waiting. While you can’t accomplish the list on your own, you can take a step toward your impossibles today. Then take another step tomorrow. After a couple years of praying about a certain impossible on my list, I finally got my answer THIS month. And because I have spent the last couple of years putting plans in place for the hope of that answer, I’m set up to turn that impossible into action to move toward another impossible! Small steps of action created more opportunity in the right moment at the right time. Don’t stand still. Keep moving.

Keep working. Keep trusting. Keep moving. When it’s time for the Lord to answer that impossible (in whatever way He feels is good for you), you’ll be ready. A person who stands in the same place will never be ready for ten steps down the road. As the pastor at my church says, this is a game of “long obedience in the same direction.” You just keep saying yes to God until you look up and realize you are right where you’ve been praying to land. Here’s my prayer for me and for you: “Lord, tell us where you want us to move, and help us WANT to go when you show us.” He loves to show Himself strong. Trust Him. He’s got this.

Kariss Lynch writes contemporary romance about characters with big dreams, adventurous hearts, and enduring hope. She is the author of the Heart of a Warrior series and loves to encourage her readers to have courage. In her free time, she hangs out with her family and friends, explores the great outdoors, and tries not to plot five stories at once. Connect with her at karisslynch.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, or Goodreads.