I woke up this morning thinking about a conversation I had back in China with my very dear friend on the squad, Amie. There are many things I love about Amie: She is a woman after God’s own heart. Her every being is Christ-centered, and she is full of truth and light. God has blessed our friendship beyond what I could have ever imagined a friendship to look like. He has used her in a multitude of ways to feed and nourish my soul. One way in which He has succeeded in doing this is by gifting her speech; this woman speaks to me in parables like you wouldn’t believe! (And I love every minute of it).
Anyways, back to our conversation in China…
It began when we were on our way to the airport. I was sharing with her that I often notice God wants to give me good gifts, but sometimes I’m blind to see them. Out of fear, distrust, or misunderstanding I hoard myself with things that seem “good enough.” In my sin, I am incapable of being as intimately involved with Him in the ways that He desires. I sometimes push His blessings away because I am so quick to settle. Perhaps I am seasoned with a bit of a naïve mind. Maybe there are a few dashes of disbelief sprinkled in there as well. I’m not entirely sure. What I am certain of, however, is that when I am quick to take hold of something that is not intended to be His blessing, it is always a recipe for disaster.
After hearing my heart, Amie went on to share a parable.
God desires to give us a delicious five-course meal, but many times either our distrust in Him or our impatience urges us to eat as if we’re racing against the clock instead of enjoying each course He gives us. The appetizer will spark our taste buds to the entrée. The sorbet will cleanse our palate, and so on. We fail to see that each part of the meal is playing a role and preparing us for the next dish. Before we know it we grow satisfied and full from what we could see placed in front of us, forgetting what awaited us. How quickly the dessert goes from our delight to a bloated sigh of, “I guess I could make room.”
I knew full and well where she was going with this.
Sometimes we consume ourselves with so much of our own desire that we are entirely stuffed and there is no longer any room to accept His gift to us. We think we have it all, and out of fear that we could lose it, we shove it down our throats. We’ll even eat that last bite of the non-hydrogenated oil-sopping potato that perhaps we should have wiped our hands clean of, boxed up, and given away to a soul who could truly use its blessing.
Our sin does that to us.
When I was in India I met an older man who joked that his wife woke up every morning praying, “God, please give me patience and give it to me right now.” I laughed because I could see her saying that, but also because it is a testament to our human nature.
The truth of the matter is that God gives good gifts in His right and perfect timing. Just because He doesn’t meet our needs exactly when we think they ought to be met doesn’t mean He won’t provide them, and I assure you, if He doesn’t meet your needs it is for your own good.
My encouragement is that your heart remains confident in Him. I also pray that you would continue to understand that His yes is as good as His no.
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord…” –Jeremiah 29:11-14
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Friends & Family: I have had grace extended for my financial deadline. God has been blowing my mind in provision, bringing in nearly $2,000 in just over a month's time. I am still in need of raising $2,607 and this needs to happen as soon as possible. Please consider donating any amount, small or large, by clicking here. I have complete faith that God will multiply 🙂 Thank you for keeping up-to-date with my journey. Much love to you all. God bless!
