Waiting & Control

Waiting. It's quite possibly the single hardest thing to do when God has put a strong desire on your heart to see something happen...

Seven months ago, Jennifer and I started out raising our support to get to Idaho. Being zealous over-achievers in college, we both looked at support raising as a challenge but still a task that could be conquered relatively quickly...maybe even in just a few short months. God had placed such a desire on our hearts to get to Northwest for campus ministry. Surely, He would get us there soon...

What started out rapidly the first few months has now turned into a slow crawl. Don't get me wrong, God still continues to open up new doors for us to gain support. It's just happening a lot slower than what we had expected.

The sinful flesh in me wants to take the situation, analyze it, and see what more could be done. If I could just do this or just accomplish that, surely a huge amount of support will come it. I find myself grabbing the bull by the horns and subtly telling God to move over while I get it done. Not only that, but I find myself wondering...What will people think if we don't report to campus soon?

It's about that time that God whacks me upside the head with truth from His Word. It's then that I once again realize that HE IS OUR PROVIDER. It's then that I realize He has called us to this mission and will provide for us no matter what. The words from John 15 ring out in my ears and heart, "I am the vine, and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Humbling experience? You bet! When God reminds me of the truth, all of the "things" I had been trying accomplish on my own to gain support look puny, stupid, and utterly foolish. Standing there in humility before God, I once again hand over the reins of control to Him like a young boy who just can't learn a lesson.

I wish my heart would be content with where God has us. I wish beyond all measure that I could say like Paul did in his letter to the Philippians, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Paul got it. He realized it was God that was his Provider. His trust was utterly and desperately upon the Lord. He had this perspective ingrained in his heart, and that is why he found contentment.

Is God teaching us something? You bet! It's to trust Him and wait on His perfect timing no matter what the situation...even if that means we have to wait to see the desire He has placed upon our hearts to get to campus. There is no other way...