“You can’t just decide you want to do something and do it.”

The statement by my pastor really jolted me in my seat. My immediate reaction was disgust. As a typical human, if someone says “you can’t” to me, it immediately becomes my life goal to be able to come back and say “I can . . . and I DID.”

But then I remembered the point of the sermon: reliance on Christ. I felt a wave of shame come over me.

You see, I’ve always been big on identity. One of my biggest identities was “the girl who does the impossible.” I believe I even wrote a poem about it back when I was a starry-eyed teenager. That identity began to flourish. I’d joined a soccer team at the age of 15 and had this insane dream to be on a college-level team. I had a little over two years to prepare.

At first, this goal became a “project” between God and I. I prayed before and during soccer games; begged Him to help me get on new teams; and did a victory dance when, in 2017, I had a tryout and the coach pulled me aside to let me know I was going to be a Lady Bruin.

That’s when it all started going wrong. Suddenly, our project became my project. Yes, I still put on the show; I definitely prayed during my run (I am not a runner and needed to do a mile in under seven minutes). 

But the intoxicating feeling of being an athlete and a student held me captive. If I thought of something that seemed “impossible,” that was what I wanted, whether it was a grade, position, or even a person.

I’m still a huge achiever. I’m sure you are too! Maybe you’re one of those people with a never-ending bucket list and thirty business ideas. You’re always doing. You want to do the impossible.

But, I want to encourage you in this: You. Can’t. Do. It. All.

Maybe you’ll never learn Spanish. Maybe you’ll never (gasp!) publish a book. Maybe you just don’t have time to become a personal trainer, start a profitable Etsy store or get the swipe-up feature on Instagram. Maybe none of that is you lot in this one life.

But what really matters? Those are the things God will make sure you can accomplish. This, of course, comes with a lot of prayer and humbling of the spirit on our part. 

Because, yeah, I’d love people to know me as “the girl who did the impossible.” But wouldn’t it be better if people look at me and think of my God, who truly does the impossible? If I spent my life doing what matters for God, not trying to prove others wrong? 

So, you can’t. But He can. You have dreams. He has solid, perfect, fulfilling plans. So, the next time you hear the words “you can’t,” it might be time to just swallow, smile, and say, “You’re right . . . but He can.” 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda Brown is loves reading Emily Dickinson poems, dancing in the rain, and telling stories that are a little over-exaggerated. Her perfect day includes drinking rosebud tea, snacking on a honey-covered rice cake, and watching a BBC drama with her mom and sister. She has run a blog and magazine, Oh Beloved One, since she was 12 and loves her title as Blogger, Head Editor, and Head Designer. You can find her at www.ohbelovedone.com.