Everyone has hit that point in
their lives where they are not sure how they will make it to tomorrow, based on
the resources they have. Maybe it is school loans, car payments, a mortgage or
rent, children, or even food that seem impossible to afford. And in our world
today, when you cannot pay for those things, it may seem like the world is
against you, or that it is crashing down around you.
their lives where they are not sure how they will make it to tomorrow, based on
the resources they have. Maybe it is school loans, car payments, a mortgage or
rent, children, or even food that seem impossible to afford. And in our world
today, when you cannot pay for those things, it may seem like the world is
against you, or that it is crashing down around you.
I have been in Africa twice so
far, for total of 4 months, and I
have met countless beautiful, intelligent, and loving children and youth that deservean education much more than I do.
One of the most devastating things I have seen in Africa is that there are many
families who cannot afford to send their children to school due to the school
fees per semester. What is more surprising and heartbreaking is that, in some
cases, it only costs about $15 per child PER SEMESTER! This is not a daily
payment, but it pays for an entire semester. I feel like if my family were in
this situation, I would feel like the world is against me. I would even be
tempted to feel like God is against me.
far, for total of 4 months, and I
have met countless beautiful, intelligent, and loving children and youth that deservean education much more than I do.One of the most devastating things I have seen in Africa is that there are many
families who cannot afford to send their children to school due to the school
fees per semester. What is more surprising and heartbreaking is that, in some
cases, it only costs about $15 per child PER SEMESTER! This is not a daily
payment, but it pays for an entire semester. I feel like if my family were in
this situation, I would feel like the world is against me. I would even be
tempted to feel like God is against me.
There seems to have been a wall
that I recently ran into regarding finances. Let us say my student loans and
rent are not agreeing with my very small, non-profit paycheck. And while I am
still working on raising support with help from amazing and wonderful people,
truthfully it is a struggle to get by right now. It is very easy to become
bitter and angry in times like these. I even recently posted something on
facebook expressing my discouragement and regret of going to college at all.
Fortunately, I have friends and family who are as honest as they are caring,
who helped confirm a perspective that God is also showing me right now.
that I recently ran into regarding finances. Let us say my student loans and
rent are not agreeing with my very small, non-profit paycheck. And while I am
still working on raising support with help from amazing and wonderful people,
truthfully it is a struggle to get by right now. It is very easy to become
bitter and angry in times like these. I even recently posted something on
facebook expressing my discouragement and regret of going to college at all.
Fortunately, I have friends and family who are as honest as they are caring,
who helped confirm a perspective that God is also showing me right now.
In Exodus 14, the Israelites have
left Egypt and are on their way to the “Promised Land,” when Pharoah, who is not
at all a man of his word, decides he is going to chase after the Israelites and
destroy them for leaving Egypt. This causes a panic among the Israelites and
they point their fingers at God (well, at Moses, but we know they are actually
blaming God):
left Egypt and are on their way to the “Promised Land,” when Pharoah, who is not
at all a man of his word, decides he is going to chase after the Israelites and
destroy them for leaving Egypt. This causes a panic among the Israelites and
they point their fingers at God (well, at Moses, but we know they are actually
blaming God):
“Was
it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to
die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you
in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ It would have been
better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to
die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you
in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ It would have been
better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
Wait, God just brought you out of
Egypt because you were complaining about being slaves there under Pharoah. He
heard your cries, folks! (Exod. 2:23-24) Now you are going to turn around and
blame Him for the whole thing? Absurd!
Egypt because you were complaining about being slaves there under Pharoah. He
heard your cries, folks! (Exod. 2:23-24) Now you are going to turn around and
blame Him for the whole thing? Absurd!
Even after God crushes Pharoah
and his Egyptian army under the Red Sea, the Israelites sing praises to God for
His faithfulness, power, and grace (Exod. 15). But soon after, which seems like
a bad hangover from a great party, the Israelites are once again grumbling about God not providing water
for them. God simply replies with faithfulness, giving them sweet water, and
soon after, manna and quail (Exod. 16).
and his Egyptian army under the Red Sea, the Israelites sing praises to God for
His faithfulness, power, and grace (Exod. 15). But soon after, which seems like
a bad hangover from a great party, the Israelites are once again grumbling about God not providing water
for them. God simply replies with faithfulness, giving them sweet water, and
soon after, manna and quail (Exod. 16).
I read these chapters the morningafter I bitterly posted my discouraged statement about college. And it seemed
God was reminding, “Son, you are blaming Me
for not providing for you the things that are needed. Do you not remember the
dangerous prayers you have prayed? Do you not remember what I have brought you through? Do you not
remember the paths I have walked you
down? I love you. I have got you. Do not worry, for I have great things in store for you.
Trust Me.”
It can be hard sometimes for us
to trust God with provision when things are not easy, when things do not go
quite as planned. We may even subconsciously blame Him for getting us into the
situation. But we need to humbly remind ourselves of the things we have asked
for, the things God has done for us in the past, and the promises God has
spoken over us time and time again.
to trust God with provision when things are not easy, when things do not go
quite as planned. We may even subconsciously blame Him for getting us into the
situation. But we need to humbly remind ourselves of the things we have asked
for, the things God has done for us in the past, and the promises God has
spoken over us time and time again.
“In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In
Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.” (Exod. 15:13)
Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.” (Exod. 15:13)
