If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me a variation of the question “What if you don’t get enough fundraising money?” I would probably be fully funded for my trip by now! Every time I hear this, or “aren’t you worried about how much you have left?” or “maybe you should plan for launching later, in case you don’t make this deadline,” I feel myself getting angry and frustrated. Even though these questions and statements come from a place of people genuinely wondering how I’m feeling, or if I have a ‘failure plan’ (as my mind insists on calling it), it still unnerves me. Of course I’m worried. Of course the thoughts have run through my head that maybe this won’t happen. And if I’m being honest sometimes when the thought that this might not happen comes to mind I almost welcome it, because this has not and will not be easy.
But something else I can honestly say is that I believe this is God’s will for me. And I believe that this is the time and the place for me. And I truly believe that He would not call me for this mission and not see me through. Hebrews 6:17-19 says “So when God desired to show more convincingly the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” Did you catch that? He cannot lie! He is faithful.
If you’re familiar with Elevation Worship, you’ve probably heard the song “Do It Again.” (If you’re not familiar with elevation worship, I highly recommend you become familiar, they’re kind of amazing). The premise of the song is that Jesus is faithful. He has been faithful in the past, and He will be faithful in the future. The chorus of the song says:
Your promise still stands,
Great is your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in your hands,
This is my confidence: you’ve never failed me yet.
And y’all, it’s true. He has never failed me yet. Not even in the tiny, seemingly petty things that I stress over has He failed me. Why would He fail me now for something that He has been preparing me for over the past several years? (Spoiler: He won’t!)
So even though I have a week left to reach my first deadline, and by normal standards I should be freaking out, I feel instead fully confident in the God who tells me if I only have the faith of a mustard seed, then nothing is impossible for me.
Reading through the new testament about the miracles of Jesus is a great way to keep my faith steady and remind myself everything He is capable of. But something else it brings to my attention is the fact that Jesus wasn’t the only one doing miracles at this time. His disciples were casting out demons, healing the sick, and even raising people to life. Even more than that, some people who just knew of Jesus were tapping into that faith and performing miracles as well! In Mark 9, the apostle John comes to Jesus and boasts to Him, “we saw someone earlier casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he’s not one of us.” But Jesus comes back and tells him “Don’t stop him! Listen, no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able to speak evil of me afterward!” Jesus points out that He is mighty no matter what. That anyone who acts in faith and calls on His name is able to see His power move, and once they see His power move, how can they say He is anything less than perfectly holy and omnipotent?
I believe that every single one of us can be used for miracles today. Right where we are, right as we are. I believe it because I need it now. I need the people who believe that God still works miracles through us to be the miracle for me. I need the people who believe that when they give beyond what is asked then they will receive beyond what they could hope for. Would you be that person for me? He is waiting to give blessing on blessing to the people who boldly step out in faith to do what He asks, don’t miss out on this blessing!
I have my flights booked for training camp next month because I believe God will provide and get me there. I have never had a reason to doubt His promise to me, so I refuse to start now!
