The other day, I got a coffee at Wawa (shocker, I know) and paid with cash. The coin dispenser thingy spit out my change, I grabbed it, wished the cashier a great day, and headed out the door. The pennies I got were super shiny, so, being the child I am, I got all excited and closely inspected them. They were 2014 pennies embossed with the typical phrases “United States of America,” “One Cent,” and “In God We Trust.”
“In God We Trust”
This is something so simple that we see just about every day on all of our American money, but this time it stood out to me. Maybe it’s because I almost always use a card and rarely look at cash and coins. Maybe it’s because the pennies were extra shiny. Maybe it’s because of a million and one other possible reasons. But I think that was God’s subtle way of speaking to me.
The phrase “In God We Trust” is so common in our U.S. culture that it has all but lost its meaning. It has become more of a “saying” than a true statement. For the sake of freedom of religion, I believe this is important. But as a Christian, trusting God should be a central part of how I live my life.
To be honest, this journey has already tested my faith in so many ways. Back in November when I came across my friend’s blog post and felt God calling me to the Race, I questioned if He was REALLY calling me at least a dozen times. When I got accepted, I was so excited, but I also wondered if I could really do this. Sometimes I still have my doubts, and I have to revisit my first blog post to remind myself how God found me in my valley and raised me up as He called me to this incredible journey.
Lately, I have struggled back and forth, trying to trust that God could financially provide for this trip. After all, $16,255 is a lot of money. Then, the other day, God used the tiniest thing – a shiny little penny – to remind me that He’s got it. If I rely on the Lord and trust that He will provide, I know He’ll surprise me with how much support I receive.
This reminds me of a powerful song that my World Race Squad introduced me to, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong United. I have been listening to this song quite a bit for encouragement. Here are two of my favorite lines:
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
The Lord has called me to a journey that will take me all over the world and has already led me well into the unknown. I have been putting so much of my trust in myself and other people and other things, but the truth is that I’m going “where feet may fail and fear surrounds me.” Only my never failing, always faithful God can provide. I’ve been praying that He’ll provide and surprise me; it’s about time I trust He will! 
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Thanks for reading! I still have quite a ways to go until I reach my first financial deadline of $3,500 due on June 27th. If you would like to donate towards my mission trip, simply click on the “Support Me” link at the top of this page. Thank you so much for your support!
Love in Christ,
Ronny
