There’s something beautiful about abandoned, forgotten structures. Maybe it’s because they’ve withstood the test of time. They’re brandished with scars, but persevere. Each broken window, stripped piece of paint, and missing floor board another layer to their story.
Sometimes I wonder if God admires us in a similar way. Life might bruise us, but we’re still standing. We’re not perfect, but with each time life gets tough there’s another lesson learned and another tale to tell. Unfortunately, sometimes in the midst of hardship we forget something very important: God’s with us every step of the way.
I remember I came home one day and quoted a man on I heard on the radio to my mother...
He said, “God doesn’t give you troubles He doesn’t think you can handle.”
“That’s not true, honey,” she shot back. “Sometimes God puts you in situations you CAN’T handle, because He wants you to rely on Him.”
“For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Support raisinging season can be challanging. People find security in their finances. By forgoing a regular full-time job and an income (any income), I have to place my securty elsewhere. Men have the tendency to want to "provide," to be the "breadwinners of the household." Maybe that's one of the reasons 4/5 international ministy workers are women. In a way we're not "man" enough to recieve help, to trust someone other than ourselves.
As I prepare for France, there's two months left to raise nearly 50% of my financial support. It's intimidating. If fear sinks in, all of my built up momentum will stall. I can't let fear kill my hope becuase in the darkest moments my circustances seem bigger than my perspective. On the other hand, I know that if I have a little faith who knows what God can accomplish in two months.
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
I might not see God on the harder nights, but I know He's there. God's never late, but He's also rarely early. I know He wants me overseas, but on His time. I'm just blessed that I don't have to make this journey alone because with His strength I can do all things.