Unseen Possibilities: Faith, Persistence, and Breaking Barriers for God's Glory
Recently, I listened to a sermon where the preacher talked about Roger Bannister, a 25-year-old British medical student, who ran the first sub-four-minute mile on May 6, 1954, at Oxford University's Iffley Road Track. He achieved this historic feat with a time of 3:59.4. Bannister's achievement broke a major barrier in athletics, inspiring over 2,000 athletes to eventually reach the same milestone. What’s inspiring about Bannister is his belief that he could break the four-minute mile. It wasn’t something he achieved overnight. He didn’t just wake up one day and run that race. Instead, he focused his mind on his goal, studied, trained, and learned everything he could about running—body positioning, proper training techniques, and mental preparation. He spent years preparing for that moment, knowing he could change what was believed to be possible for the world. I have kitchen during that period of time there were setbacks and there were things that surfaced during his training that even had him questioning can I do this at all but he still persisted he still had a belief that he could be the first man to achieve this heroic feet. Just imagine no one else in all the world had ever done this before but this one man believed he could do it despite setbacks and challenges he believed.
In Micah 7:8, it says, " Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." how often do we stop pursuing something that God has put on our heart because of a setback how often do we even maybe not even start it because we are limited by what is visible or what has already been achieved?
Do we settle for the status quo or conform to what’s around us, believing that’s the best we can do?
Or do we imagine something different—something unseen, beyond what we can even conceive?
The Bible encourages us in 2 Corinthians 4:18: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
What if we began to imagine a world without limits? What if we believed that what seems impossible today could become reality tomorrow? God says, “All things are possible for those who believe” (Mark 9:23).
He is seeking those who trust in what is unseen God invites us to partner with Him, stepping into new areas and experiences we could never have imagined or dreamed of. Yes, stepping into the unknown can be scary and fearful, but when we do, it’s not just for ourselves. It’s for others too.
When we follow where God leads, we are fulfilling His purpose for our lives. We cannot hold back or be afraid; we must be willing to step out in faith, trusting that He will strengthen us.
Philippians 4:13 reminds us: "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." Standing on His Word, we believe there’s more in us to do—more than we can comprehend.
Just like Bannister believed he could break the four-minute mile, we too will study, train, and focus on our goals without distraction.
Many doubted Bannister—"No one has ever done it," they said. "A kid can’t do it." But he didn’t waver in his belief. We are called not to waver either. We look forward, not to the left or right, but toward the promise and provision of our Lord.
Hebrews 10:23 encourages us: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
Just like Bannister’s achievement was for future generations, stepping out is not only for ourselves—it's for others to see what’s possible. We believe all things are possible through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
When others ask, “How did you do that?” we can share our testimony: God placed a vision/passion in our hearts that seemed unfathomable, but through His Word, focus, and faith, He provided all we needed.
We may fall seven times, but we get up eight, trusting in the unseen that will be manifested for His glory (Proverbs 24:16).
There is glory all around us—triumph and victory. God is calling us to stay connected with Him. When we do, He will show us the way (John 14:6).
Today, I decree in Jesus’ name: We will lift our eyes—not at what is seen, but at what is unseen. We believe in what is possible through the Holy Living God who is near us, providing all our needs (Philippians 4:19). We refuse to believe only what we see. Instead, we declare that what is unseen will manifest through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We stand on His Word: "All things are possible for those who believe" (Mark 9:23). By faith, we will break through limitations, shatter conformity, and experience mighty breakthroughs in His name. In Jesus' name, Amen.