Seeing God provide is not something new for me. There have been plenty of times I have had no idea where money would come from to pay a bill or get my car’s gas needle off of E. Then I’d get a call or text to do a last minute job, or He’d provide in some other way. I’ve learned that God likes to come through at the last minute, or maybe even just after the timer goes off. Those situations tend to build our faith, to grow our dependence.
This past week I had the privilege of gaining a little more experiential knowledge about God’s provision. 🙂
I knew my brakes needed to be replaced…they told me that about 4,000 miles ago after my pre-trip inspection in Canada. I was putting it off because I’m not going to be driving the car for the next year anyway, but once they started making a significant grinding noise, I decided I had to bite the bullet. We found a decently inexpensive place to get them done and made the appointment. All good. Then they checked it out and let me know that it wasn’t just my brake pads that needed replacing. The whole rear braking system was totally rusted out [perks of driving salted winter roads, perhaps?] and it all, along with some more minor stuff, had to be replaced. That just more than tripled my bill. Woohoo!
Usually this financial stuff is one of the few things in life that will actually stress me out. This time, not so much. God granted me complete peace, along with a sense of humor, about the situation. I raided my wallet, bank account, and my tithing fund (I promise, I’ll put it back as soon as I get paid!) and paid the bill with a whopping $11 left over. Eleven dollars in bank still leaves me a lot better off, financially, than most of the world.
I don’t tell this story to sound poor and pitiful. I’m not. I have work and pay checks in progress. I tell this story to proclaim the provision of my God, Jehovah-jireh. See, He knew that if I had a car payment, or rent bill, or cell phone contract, I probably wouldn’t have the money to pay this awesome mechanic’s bill. But He has blessed and provided for me in so many other ways that allowed me to have just what I needed (plus a little) in the bank/wallet. I don’t doubt for a second that He will provide the next time and the time after that and the one after that.
As I begin this venture of traveling the world to share His hope and love in just a few weeks, I can’t wait to see how my God, Jehovah-jireh, will provide. Not financially, necessarily, but spiritually, relationally, directionally, emotionally. Maybe His provision will be prefaced by a little deprivation —loneliness, confusion, feeling lost— but that’s makes the provision that much sweeter.
God promised that He would supply all my needs (not wants, although He grants those sometimes too—as I sit here sipping my Starbucks drink that was bought with a gift card) according to His riches. (Phil.4:19) That’s a lot of riches, y’all! I’ve got nothing to worry about.
