Lately I have been hearing some bad/stressful news.
Recently- my car completely broke down. It’ll be good if I can get some money from the parts. I had that car 7 years- all from Gods provision (and my awesome handyman of a dad.) Its crazy how I had that car 7 years and the number 7 represents completeness in the Bible. Again, his wonderful timing. I used to want a new car because I thought of mine as old; I was comparing my car to my sisters. Little did I know that, that car showed a lot of what Gods provision looks like. When the engine stopped working my freshmen year- God provides a new one. When I wore my rotors and brake pads down to nothing- God provided. When I hit a gas station pole and tore off my front bumper- He provided. He provided when I needed it most. It’s crazy that once I left for a year, where I wouldn’t be using it, that it broke. Gods timing is so good. His timing may not be my own, but that is okay. His timing will always be better. Sometimes “provision” doesn’t look the way we want it to. I am learning that, that is okay.
Do I know what I am gonna do about a car when I get back? Nope, not a clue. But I know of his faithful provision.
When I didn’t think I would make my first deadline for fundraising – He provided. He did it again for the second and third deadline, too. He used so many of YOU to show me of His provision. Through you, he gave me a deeper faith and TRUST in Him. So when you think you aren’t doing much to help, you are. Remember that everything you do for good, through Him, brings kingdom. You encouraged me. You helped me seek for trust and growth in my relationship with God. YOU ARE HELPING ME TO LOVE OTHERS AND HELP THEM SEE HIS FAITHFULNESS AND LOVE. You are helping bring Kingdom down to earth.
When you’re overseas and you meet people, and they tell you their testimony of coming to faith — it changes you. It allows me to see the hurting, the broken, and the ones who don’t see themselves as worthy. My biggest desire for them is to show them that they are loved, they are important, and they are deserving of love from our God. Being in Asia, I hear about the lives of Muslims. I hear about their gender roles, the culture, and the lack of freedom they have. In Kyrgyzstan, some believe that only Russians can become Christian. This broke my heart. This isn’t the only country who believes they aren’t worthy. It is our job to bring Kingdom to earth. To show every person they are loved, and that they are worthy of Gods love. You may be doing something you may not see the fruit of. I may not see the fruit of all I do. But you listened to God, walked in obedience, and He is especially fond of that.
So, do I know how I am gonna meet my last deadline? Realistically, no. I am still $5,117 away BUT I know he is faithful. I’ve seen his provision time and time again.
In my readings this morning I read something that was much needed. I want to share it with you.
- Matthew 6:26.
In this passage, Jesus says that God cares for the birds. Yet birds aren’t created in God’s image. Christ didn’t die for birds. The Holy Spirit doesn’t indwell birds. Birds won’t reign with Christ. But we will! So Christ asks his disciples, “Are you not much more valuable than they?” If he takes care of the less valuable creatures, will he not take care of us, who are far more valuable?
Of course, the birds provide for their immediate future through labor—building nests and obtaining food for their young. But they don’t maintain one nest in the mountains and another at the beach. Neither do they fill their cellars with freeze-dried worms. Birds do the work that God created them to do; they sing when they work, they don’t hoard, and they instinctively trust their Creator to take care of them. Should we who know God’s grace do any less?
Jesus says, “Accept my sovereignty and goodness, and you won’t have to worry about tomorrow. Trust me.” All of us trust in something. The more dependable the object of our trust, the less we need to worry.
It may not look like what we want, but I don’t have to worry. I put my trust in something bigger. I put my trust in God.
