No, I did not make the word up, under which I write, but it really is a word. Have you ever seen it, or used it? Do you have any idea what it means? Before continuing, allow me to give you a quote, as it relates to this word, as one writer put it. Here is the quote: “I’ve learned that yes, pigs can fly!” Well, in real life, I am not willing to go that far! You maybe!
The word itself is a good word. It looks at what may appear to be impossible and sees that it may in fact be possible. In life, this is a good and necessary thing! How many inventions have come about, when someone looked the “impossible” right in the eye and did it anyway! Well, yes, a pig can fly! Just put one on an airplane and watch it take off; then, look up and see it soar overhead! With all the rain the Houston area has gotten over the last few months, it may have been seen that a pig was flying overhead, as it hung from a helicopter. Yes, there goes another pig flying overhead! If those who invent things, had not been “possibilitarian,” where would we be day?
Laurie Hunt wrote this: “Being a possibilitarian is an attitude. Being open to possibility allows the space for opportunities to show up.” There are those who never look up, they only look down at what they have done; never at what might be done! You remember the parable of the talents; wherein Jesus said: “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods” (Matt. 25:14). These are the words of introduction to what follows. So, just what did Jesus say next? Here are his words: “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.” (verse 15). As the “man” is preparing to travel into a far county, he desired that his goods be taken care of; therefore, in wisdom, he divided his “talents” up between three men. Knowing that they had “several ability,” he divided the “talents” accordingly. No man was given more than he was able to handle. But, the question before us, could each man see the possibilities of the “talents?” In other words, were they “possibilitarians?” Let us read on and see!
Jesus next reveals what each of the three did with the “talents” given him. The words are: “Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents” (verse 16). Here is a “possibilitarian!” He looked and saw the possibilities of the “five talents” he had been given. They could make more “talents!” The same thing is true of the second man, as the records reads: “And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two” (verse 17). Here we have a “possibilitarian!” He was not fearful! But, what about the third man? Let us read of him, as he said: “Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed” (verse 24). Did this man have more wisdom than the other two? No! He is fact had less wisdom! His head only looked down and could not see the possibilities that were before him! Shame on him and all others of the mindset! Just what did this man do with the “talent” given him? Let the Lord speak for himself: “And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine” (verse 25). Here is this depth of fear; the epitome of no vision; and here is the revelation of a man who was not a “possibilitarian!”
Now, what was the end result of each when their lord returned? Jesus will tell us, as the man’s lord speaks to him: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (verse 21). To the second man, his lord said unto him: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (verse 23). But, what was said to the third man? Once more, we will let Jesus answer: “Thou wicked and slothful servant, …” (verse 26); but this is not the end, his lord continued: “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents” (verse 28)!
Have you changed your mind? Do you now desire to be a “possibilitarian?” If not, you should have! By not desiring to be a “possibilitarian,” you are seeing things as impossible! Lift your eyes and see the possible! See the “pig flying!”
Frank R. Williams