Sometimes when we ask God for something he says yes, sometimes he says no, and sometimes the answer is: wait.
Honestly, I think I dislike that last answer more than just a flat no. Let’s face it. I’m impatient. Also, I tend to fear the unknown. So not knowing AND waiting for an answer? Yeah, I’d rather not.
Unfortunately, these two character flaws are things the Lord is working on in me on the World Race. When my team took a day trip to Colombia the Lord showed me that waiting on Him can have a better outcome.
We went to Colombia to pick up some luggage that the Inca Link summer interns sent ahead to Ecuador while the were doing their “Amazing Race.” Before they pick their location to serve for the summer they “race” each other around to the different Inca Link ministry spots in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. (If you want to know more check out www.incalink.org.) Our ministry host asked us to join him so that he wouldn’t look suspicious taking 9 large pieces of luggage across the border by himself. But we could only be there for a few hours because elections were happening that weekend and the border was closing at 4am the next day.
We arrive at the bus terminal at 7pm when the bus was supposed to arrive, but we found out the luggage was split on two buses, and wouldn’t get there until 10 pm. We came back three hours later and neither bus had arrived, so we decided to wait. Well, midnight rolls around and there is still no sign of the bus. That meant it was time to pray. We asked God if we needed to leave, or if we should wait for the bus. God was silent. So since it wasn’t a yes or no, we stayed. Finally we couldn’t wait any longer because the border was closing so we left. On our way home we were stopped twice and our van thoroughly inspected to make sure we were not smuggling items from Colombia to Ecuador.
Later that week our host took another group with him to pick up the bags waiting at the terminal for the interns. On their way home they passed the same check points we did. But, the officers recognized our host from our trip and never stopped their vehicle. Not once!
Even though it was frustrating to go to Colombia and not complete our task, God used us so that the interns’ luggage could get to Ecuador without making our host look suspicious. Sometimes we can’t see what exactly God is planning when He tells us to wait. But that’s when we need to trust His sovereignty and goodness. Oh wait, that’s one more area He’s growing me in this year.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6
Fundraising update: I need to raise $1,500 by July 1st
