Our team got to go to one of my teammates, Hannah’s, cabin in Utah this week. It was a cozy spot to relax and just have some really sweet girl bonding time. We laughed, played games, and ended the night by looking at the stars. It wasn’t a typical night of star gazing, though. We were in the middle of nowhere, with no lights around us, so we saw the sky the most clear most of us have ever seen before. After we got cozy laying down on the back porch to look at the stars, we asked God to see a shooting star all at the same time. (this is kind of our thing now, we have done it several times). We continuously saw shooting stars, one after another, but never all at the same time. It was getting cold outside and someone mentioned going back inside and I remember thinking no we can’t yet, we haven’t gotten what we asked for. I asked for one more minute outside and said that we haven’t all seen a shooting star at the same time. I suggested that my team start praying in the Spirit to see a shooting star all together. As we started praying in the Spirit, the biggest shooting star of that night went right in front of where all of us were looking, slowly. We started screaming because we couldn’t believe it! But shouldn’t we? I heard the Lord say “Oh you, of little faith” because I was in shock that He would give us what we asked for. I was reminded of Peter walking in the water towards Jesus + Jesus told Peter to come to Him, but instead Peter looked away and started going into the water. I felt like I did the very same thing that night. I asked, and when it happened, I was in shock.
This isn’t the first time this has happened, though. One of my sweet teammates, Lauren, actually suggested that I start praying for bigger things because the little things I have been asking, have been happening.
Some examples:
- I told my team I wanted Chinese, and a few minutes later one of our teammates texted in the group message that her and another girl we were working with were going to Panda Express and asked if anyone wanted anything. (Las Vegas)
- I said something to my team about going to an escape room in Vegas, some of the team said they wouldn’t pay for it, and the host from California called and mentioned their friend owns an escape room and we can go for free. (Las Vegas)
- I told my team I wanted apple cider, the next day we walk into a motel and they have complimentary apple cider sitting for us. (Utah)
- Hannah had thought about asking me for popcorn that day because she was craving it, and I came in the room minutes later with popcorn for her (without talking about it). (Las Vegas)
There are a few things I want to point out in this; one, I am not special. The Lord isn’t giving me things I ask for because I am more than anyone else, or because I have done all the things on God’s checklist, but simply because I am His and have faith that He will show up. Sure, there are times I ask for things and they go unanswered in my timing, but He is answering them in His way + His timing. I heard a teaching a few weeks ago and the quote was given “God’s no, is a yes in a different way” and I have found it to be so true. Two, if you look in my examples, I never actually “prayed” to ask God for these things. A lot of believers believe prayer has to look a certain way. When you wake up, before you go to sleep, only praying for certain things, only praying at certain times, and that simply isn’t true. Jesus wants relationship with us and that looks like constant communion. You wouldn’t go days without talking to your spouse and feel like things are normal between the two of you, so why do you expect a relationship with God to not be the same? (both are covenant relationship is why I am comparing the two). I believe God is aligning my heart to desire what He desires and when I speak out things, since we are in constant communion with one another, He hears those and answers me. Third, God delights in us. He delights in us so much that He does want to give us the desires of our hearts if they are in alignment with His will. Yes, these seem like little things that don’t matter, but isn’t that the point? He knows me better than anyone, and wants to give me the littlest of things to make me smile! That’s the love of a Father. Not to give to a child because it pleases them to receive, but to give because He loves. I know that the cross is the ultimate sacrifice of love, but boy am I overjoyed when He shows me how much He loves me in the little things.
Encouragement::
Start asking God for the little things. Let Him show up in your life and stretch your faith beyond your belief. Don’t pray at the “appropriate times” or when you are in need, but actually go deep in your relationship with Jesus. He says when you seek Him CONTINUALLY you will find Him. Be in constant communion with the Father, that is what He desires. I was also reminded of he who is faithful with little, is faithful with much. Why do you expect to receive big things, when you only pray when you are in need? God is not a genie in a bottle that you call upon when you want something. We shouldn’t want to treat Him as such, either. My point isn’t to condemn, but to encourage you to be in a relationship with Him, a real relationship. My point also isn’t to say you will receive everything you ask for, because that simply isn’t true. God answering your prayers or not answering your prayers also is not a reflection of your faith. But what I can say is that your relationship with Jesus is a journey and prayer will stretch your faith and grow your relationship with Him. What are you waiting for?
