This week has been a struggle for me. I feel very secluded out here in the mountains, though I know that my church back home and my family/friends are out there praying for me. I love their support, but sometimes you just need the person to be there. You need the hug. You need the shoulder to cry on when things get complicated. (And boy have they been complicated lately)
Sometimes I think I am under a two-fold spiritual attack: Part one is that I have been so overwhelmed and busy with work and moving that I don’t spend quiet time with the Lord. I have been actively fighting this! My routine has been thrown off, but “God-time” is what will keep me from feeling overwhelmed.
Part two is that because I have left my support system to work at this position, I sometimes am overcome with fear. I am told, “How can you raise the money for your mission? You left the ones who would help you behind. You don’t have a church here…and if you find one, they won’t support you. They don’t know you.” I need to reject those lies. Also, I need to constantly remind myself that I didn’t pick this path: God picked it. I had much different plans…but I have faith that God’s plans are much better.
I am reminded of Elisha in 2 Kings 4:38-44.
38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal when there was a famine in the land. And as the sons of the prophets were sitting before him, he said to his servant, “Set on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” 39 One of them went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew, not knowing what they were. 40 And they poured out some for the men to eat. But while they were eating of the stew, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. 41 He said, “Then bring flour.” And he threw it into the pot and said, “Pour some out for the men, that they may eat.” And there was no harm in the pot.
42 A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.”43 But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” 44 So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.
I added emphasis on a few parts. You see, there was a famine in the land…no food. And Elisha had to feed the prophets. He didn’t say, “servant, get the little pot pot…because times are hard.” NO, HE HAD FAITH IN THE LORD’S PROVISION! Grab the large pot, he says! After even more trials with (in addition to famine) poison in the pot, they were able to eat. God provided. Next thing you know, someone shows up with a gift for Elisha. And when he tries to share it with the men, he was told it was not enough. BUT THEN GOD TOOK THE LITTLE AND MADE IT MUCH!
All this to say, maybe I have moved into a region of famine in my finances. But God will provide. He can take the little that the goodhearted people give, and He can make it much! Thank you all those who are supporting me in your prayers and finances. You are a blessing. May God make much of your gifts and prayers!
