This is World Farm Animals Day.

“That’ll happen when pigs fly!” You’ve probably heard that expression and may even have used it a time or two. It means, “It will never happen!” Just think how thrilled all those chickens, cows, goats, sheep, and pigs are! You could check every farm, all over the world, and you’d never find that a pig has ever sprouted wings and then flown across the barnyard. If it ever happens . . . now that would be news!

Tons of things can seem impossible, almost as far-fetched as a flying pig. That’s what the disciples thought after hearing Jesus one day. Jesus had said that a camel could go through the eye of a needle easier than a rich man could get into Heaven. As you might imagine, the disciples exclaimed, “Then who in the world can be saved?” (Mark 10:26).

That’s when Jesus said, “Everything is possible with God.”

Does that mean we should be on the lookout for flying pigs? No. But God could give them wings if he wanted to—he can do anything and everything. What is means is that we should never give up on people or situations that seem impossible to us.

God tells us to pray, to bring all our requests to him (Mark 11:24; Ephesians 6:18; 1 John 5:14, 15). So we should be talking with him about everything, even impossibilities: a relationship that has soured, a sick friend, an unbelieving friend who seems so far from the Lord—all our fears, hopes, and dreams. God specializes in the impossible.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God” (Mark 10:27).

To Do

What seemingly “impossible” situation do you face at home, at school, with friends, or some other situation? Spend time, right now, praying about it. Then thank God for his answer and be ready to accept it.

Also on this day

1869—Mahatma Gandhi was born.

1950—The Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schultz first appeared in newspapers.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.