Over the last 6 months I have continually seen God provide for me. There have been times where I had $0 cash and had no way of paying for my rent and God came through. During my need, He provided. There is no doubt that God cares for us and will protect and provide for us.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So, don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
But recently I have been learning also of God’s discipline. In the past, I’ve always had an idea that God’s discipline was always something uncomfortable. The very word discipline carries a negative connotation. It isn’t pleasant. In our minds, it usually carries with it feelings of discomfort and pain. We don’t desire discipline. However, I’m starting to understand that God’s discipline is always meant for our good and never intended for harm. Let me explain:
Multiple times over the last 6 months I’ve been short on money. Every time God has withheld his provision until the last moment. I used to think that God would wait until the last second or the opportune moment to provide simply because he wants us to trust in him. But I feel in my heart God has been instead trying to teach me. He has let me feel the pain of being short on money. Many of these moment have been because I haven’t been fully faithful with managing my money. I didn’t save when I had the opportunity, or I decided I could afford to go out to eat when I probably couldn’t. Because of my decisions, I was left needing. God let me feel that need so that I would recognize and understand the results of my decisions. He let me wrestle with the pain of financial burden. But never once did I go hungry. Never once did I not make it through. He always provided, but he wanted me to learn to grow.
Fast forward to February. I found myself in prayer late in January and in the first few weeks of February praying for God’s provision for the World Race. I was in the beginnings of my final semester of college and felt that there were many tasks, projects, and ministries here on campus that still needed my attention. During this I felt the burden of also needing to start raising funds for this trip. I prayed to God that He would provide. I simply told God that I felt he was calling me to give my heart and attention to school and that the World Race was going to have to wait. I asked that he go before me and provide the funds. I felt his response that if I gave my heart to pouring into my ministry of being a student and a leader on campus, he would give me funds.
And he did! To date, I have received nearly $3,000 in gifts towards my trip. The first 15% has been fully funded. All of which is the Lords! There is such beauty in the fact that I didn’t do much to raise any of that amount. I simply posted a blog, shared on Facebook, prayed, and left God to work on people’s hearts. I want to express the immense gratitude that I have for everyone who has given so far. Know that you are some of the first fruits of what God is doing through us, the church, in this trip. Realize that it was God who moved your heart to support my trip!
Now, March. I have continued to pray for funds and have been focused on school. This last week I was slightly disappointed that I hadn’t raised much more than I had in February. For comparison:
In February, I received $2,000 in gifts.
In March? 25 days in: $300 (not including monthly gifts that were set up in February)
What was different? In the last week God has been telling me that it’s time I get involved. He went ahead, he began the journey, he kick started the funding, but no more. It’s time for me to start being a part of what he is doing. God’s discipline showed up in withholding his provision. Maybe correction and teaching are better words. God’s desire is to fully provide for this trip. That I know with all my heart. But He said he’s not going to provide it all while I do nothing. This comes at the perfect moment. I’m over halfway through the semester and the details of wrapping up school have already started.
The closing act has begun and my heart and attention needs to begin to turn towards what comes next. The World Race. When God withholds his provision, know that it is always for our good. God’s discipline is meant for our good, to mold us, to shape us, and make us more complete in him. He has provided to this point, but now he’s asking me to be more intentional and involved in raising support.
Will you be a part of my team? I look forward to all that God will do through the people I will be in touch with over the next few months. 15% is funded, 99% of this work of God is still yet to come. My heart is growing in excitement to see how God will bring together a church to support his vision for this trip. Now all that remains is getting involved and getting started. Let’s do this!
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
My team and I need your support. The gospel starts with sending and if we aren’t sent, we won’t go. Will you be a part of sending us into the world?
I am nearing my first fundraiser deadline. Will you help me get to $5,000 before May 15 and support my trip? You can donate right here on my blog at the top of the page ??
605-951-2751
