Slideshow image

Until You Can’t

There’s a phrase the Lord keeps pressing into my heart: “Until you can’t.”

It sounds like determination.
It sounds like grit.
But in the Kingdom of God, it’s actually about discernment.

There are things you must do while you can.
There are moments when you must not give up just because you can’t.
And there are seasons when God steps in because you can’t.

Let’s walk through these three sacred truths.

1. Do Something While You Can

(John 9:1–4)

In Gospel of John 9:4, Jesus Christ says:

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”

While it is day.

There is a window.
There is an opportunity.
There is a season.

And wisdom recognizes when the light is still shining.

Too often we delay obedience waiting for better timing, more resources, clearer confirmation, or perfect conditions. But faith moves while it can.

  • Forgive while your heart is still soft.

  • Serve while you still have strength.

  • Speak while there is still opportunity.

  • Love while there is still time.

Night is coming — not as a threat, but as a reality. Seasons shift. Doors close. Energy fades.

Do what God has called you to do while you can.

Because one day, you won’t be able to.

2. Don’t Give Up If You Can’t

(Matthew 17:14–20)

In Gospel of Matthew 17, the disciples tried to cast a demon out of a boy — and they couldn’t. They had done it before. They had walked with Jesus. Yet this time, they failed.

When they asked why, Jesus pointed to their faith.

Here’s the encouragement: their failure wasn’t final.

They couldn’t do it — but they didn’t quit following.
They couldn’t fix it — but they stayed with Jesus.
They couldn’t produce the miracle — but they remained disciples.

There will be moments when:

  • You pray and nothing shifts.

  • You try and still fall short.

  • You stand and still feel weak.

In those moments, the enemy whispers, “Give up.”

But inability is not a sign to abandon your calling. It is often an invitation to deepen your dependence.

A mustard seed of faith may feel small, but small faith in a big God still moves mountains.

Don’t give up just because you can’t.
Stay submitted. Stay learning. Stay growing.

Today’s “can’t” does not cancel tomorrow’s breakthrough.

3. He Will Do It Because You Can’t

(2 Corinthians 12:7–10; Matthew 19:23–26)

The apostle Paul the Apostle pleaded three times for his thorn to be removed. God’s answer?

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
(Second Epistle to the Corinthians 12:9)

Grace doesn’t always remove the struggle.
Sometimes it sustains you through it.

And in Gospel of Matthew 19:26, Jesus declares:

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

There are battles you cannot win alone.
There are chains you cannot break in your own strength.
There are doors you cannot force open.

That is not failure — that is divine design.

God allows you to meet your limits so you can encounter His limitlessness.

When you reach the end of yourself, you are standing at the beginning of His power.

You bring your weakness.
He brings His strength.

You bring your insufficiency.
He brings His grace.

You bring your “I can’t.”
He answers with “I AM.”

The Rhythm of the Kingdom

So here is the balance:

  • Do something while you can.

  • Don’t give up when you can’t.

  • Trust Him because you can’t.

Faith works diligently in the daylight.
Faith refuses to quit in the struggle.
Faith surrenders at the edge of impossibility.

And when you finally whisper,
“Lord… I can’t…”

He responds,
“I can.”

You've got this because He's got you!

Pastor Keith