Breaking the Limit

In 1903, Harry Andrews, a British Olympic coach, stated, “The mile record is 4 minutes 12.75 seconds. This record will never be broken.” There was a fierce intellectual debate that the human body had reached its full potential. Proof was offered based of the analysis of the anatomy of the body that a human being could not run a mile any faster than 4 minutes and 12.75 seconds.

In 1954, Roger Banister became the first person to break the 4 minute mile barrier. He sprinted to the finish line in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds. In that that same year, 2 other people ran 4 minute miles, too, right after him. And the next year, a phenomenal 236 people also did what was considered impossible! And since then, new record has been set and broken and set. Interestingly, today the record stands at 3 minutes, 43 seconds set in Rome in 1999, by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco – a full 17 seconds less than set by Roger Bannister!

Roger Banister took what was accepted as a brick wall limit and pushed it in the ditch. His proof that it could be done mentally cleared the way for others to also “do the impossible.” Roger Banister broke the barrier.

In similar fashion we today are capable of limiting God whenever we refuse to allow God to act in ways that exceed our imagination, understanding or comfort zones. We set barriers and sometimes this barriers comes from the negative words and the discouragement that we had before. We limit God whenever we restrict God to what is familiar and comfortable for us. Even though we may profess God can perform miracles, the reality is we frequently have doubts when viewed in specific circumstances. Unfortunately, in such instances both God and we are the less for our disbelief.

The key fundamental for breaking barrier is Faith. The author of the book of Hebrews says “To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” (11:1) Faith in action is not always rational, familiar or comfortable. Frequently faith requires us to step beyond what is recognizable and believe in what is hidden from our eyes.

I pray we approach a brand new year, 2009, let's seek the Lord to grow into greater heights in our relationship with the Lord and in our ministry. Let 2009 be a year of Breaking the Limit.

Be Blessed.