“There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day,” says the lyrics of the title song from Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. It is very true, unlike some of Disney’s stuff (I’m looking at you Pocahontas). Each day carries new blessings, new discoveries, and new beginnings. Each day has the potential to be better than the one before. Jesus doesn’t call us to worry about tomorrow though. He says in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble,” (ESV). Before reaching this statement, Jesus told the crowd (and the reader) that we shouldn’t worry about anything because the Father takes care of the birds and the flowers, so why would He take any less care of you? This is a passage that has meant a lot to me and has spoken to me in recent weeks. Why? Let me tell you.
It all started in October; my Dad’s job came to an end shortly after I departed for Quito. We saw it coming, but it was still a let-down. It is a cycle that has continued for years, of not being able to find much in the way of work permanent or local. There have been only a couple of seasons of drought, but the Lord has always provided. The drought my family is experiencing now has lasted 7 months; longer than any time before. It has been a journey of learning dependence on the Lord for them. Anywho, back in March I found out I had been accepted to Wheaton College in Illinois – the college of my choice. It was a vessal the Lord used to teach me that faith isn’t believing that God can, but knowing that he will. Well, he did make the acceptance happen, but due to me being in rural India for three months and not having sufficient internet access, I wasn’t able to apply for financial aid or scholarships. I figured that my father’s unmployment for help out somehow, but I learned last month that it didn’t. The door closed at Wheaton, and now it looks like it is closing everywhere else too.
I found myself freaking out a lot during Manistry, and worrying about what’s next. I’ll be totally honest, I don’t know what’s next. The Lord has used this passage though to put me at ease. It is okay! He’s going to open doors down the line, and he’s going to take care of me (as well as the family back home). I find myself at peace with the uncertainty. All I know now is that I am going to be living in Tallahassee at least in the Fall, but potentially for another year. It is not what I wanted, but I’ve done what I can, and God’s plan is far better than mine or anybody else’s. There is indeed a great big beautiful tomorrow, but until the Lord opens the doors to tomorrow, I am going to worry about today.
In other news, the Forge has re-formed after Manistry and we’re preparing to set out for our next ministry. We’ll be staying in beautiful Livingstone and with this ministry for the ramainder of our time on the World Race. We’re not sure what our day-to-day work will be, but as soon as I find out I’ll let you all know. Lastly, I want to inform you guys that I am no longer a Team Leader, by the awesome grace of Almighty God. For the final two months, the leadership team wanted to let other folks step up in that role. I had already stepped down from the position for Manistry, so all it means for me is vacation extension (just kidding). The Forge’s TL will be Nick Loper (*applause*). He is a man who walks in humility, care, and as a man after God’s own heart. Please keep him in your prayers, as well as the team.
