September 11th is a day to remember for so many reasons. Of course we remember the tragic events that took place September 11, 2001. Lives were lost, families were torn apart and hearts were absolutely broken. However, next September 11th, I'll not only reflect on the tragic events of our American History, but will rejoice in God's grace and mercy He bestowed upon me.
My Squad has a private Facebook page that allows us to get to know each other better from introductions to prayer requests to personal struggles to miracles in fundraising. Throughout the last month or so, lots of my fellow racers have been telling miraculous stories about how God is MOVING through their fundraising efforts. While reading about their funding posts I was getting really discouraged. I'm actually embarrassed to say that. "Oh ye of little faith". As of September 10th, I only had $400 dollars in my support account. $400!!! And $150 of it was from me. I have to raise over 15,000! The only gear I have is my tent, my pack, my sleeping pad and a sleeping bag one of my fellow racers is giving to me for a CHEAP price (cause Lord knows I can't afford them right now). I was loving how God was working in other people's lives but I wasn't sure he would come through in time for me. I'm embarrassed to admit that, too.
As soon as I got accepted into the World Race, my full time job (who knew nothing about my race at the time) decreased my hours to 11 a week. 11 hours? What a random number, right? So, my thoughts of funding this race myself was not going to happen. I'm used to "doing things myself" and "having control" but God taught me a HUGE lesson.
Countless months of support letters, grants writings and conversations to other believers and I still only had $400 in my account. Our deadline is around the corner. How am I going to get the extra $3100 in less than a month to reach our first financial deadline? It wasn't until I surrendered EVERYTHING that God showed me who was boss! I really had to put EVERYTHING on the alter!
I decided to move out of my house and sell EVERYTHING. Everything I had worked for all 29 years of my life. My clothes, my shoes, my car, my furniture, my appliances… EVERYTHING! This was my sacrifice for God because He had sacrificed HIS life for me! All nations need to know this and I felt this overwhelming pressure to rid myself of all of my worldly possessions. What was my little life He graciously allowed me to have compared to His time on the cross??? There is no comparison.
Earlier this week, my fellow racer Caitlin gave me the idea to do a fundraiser that allowed believers and supporters to donate $11.00 on the 11th of each month. It was a wonderful idea. If enough believers donated 11 dollars to me, I'd potentially reach my first financial deadline. To my surprise, God had bigger plans.
On September 11th, I received an anonymous donation of 11,000!!! God allowed this person to be my "ram in a bush"! I'm still shaking as I write this! God is showing up and showing out in my life, too! I am realizing even the faith of a mustard seed can move mountains!
I write this blog to tell anyone reading this (yes, you) to stay encouraged and faithful. It is a practice. It doesn't matter what the situation is, God KNOWS everything and He will work it out. He will always get the glory. Here is a devotional I read today:
God always supplies when He calls. When we do not understand and there is no way to accomplish the task, God will supply a ram in the bush; When it appears that obedience is next to impossible, there will be a ram in the bush. When His calling is above your ability, there will be a ram in the bush. When there appears to be the death of a vision, lift your eyes and look, there will be a ram in the bush. Whenever you have exhausted all your resources, look for the ram in the bush. Maybe you are in an impossible situation. Maybe your marriage is at an ugly end. Maybe you have reached the end of your financial rope. As there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still, nor mountain so high that He is not higher, remember your situation is not out of His reach. Just lift up your eyes, right there behind you, there will be your ram in the bush.
To my anonymous donor: Thank you so much for letting God use you in this way! I am humbled you thought that much of me to step out on faith and contribute to His work through me. You are appreciated! *hugs*
XOXO,
Belle
