I absolutely love stories of how God works. They are so real, relatable, and vulnerable. For those who experience them, there is beauty, growth, and a testimony that is incredible to see. I hope these three stories encourage you in taking the next step of trusting God in your life.
I remember during my last semester of college, a friend shared with a bunch of us that she couldn’t afford her tuition for the next semester and would be sent back to her home country if she didn’t get the funds. Some friends helped her out and gave her $20 here and $50 there. However, God laid on my heart a different amount...
I paid her tuition! My parents asked me if she was going to pay it back. I looked at them and said, “I think so.” They weren’t as excited as I was, especially since they pointed out that I hadn’t paid my college loans back. However, I was following what God wanted me to do and was completely trusting that He would work everything out!
I wonder what David’s parents thought of their son going into battle against Goliath, a giant! As Nancy Missler writes, “Worldly values are often the direct opposite of godly values and human wisdom is often the opposite of the wisdom of God.” (Faith in the Night Seasons, pg 153.)
When I worked at LA Fitness at the front desk as an operations manager, I had the opportunity to meet some interesting members. This one middle-aged man stood out in particular. He would come to the gym three days a week and never make eye contact or say hello… which is normal for people wearing earbuds listening to music, but he wasn’t. The odd thing about him was the small stack of index cards that he continuously carried with him. One day, this lady and I started talking, and I discovered that she was a Christian. After further discussion, she mentioned her husband
also worked out there and brought his small stack of index cards with Bible verses written on them. I immediately made the connection of who her husband was! She shared with me that unlike her extroverted self, he was quiet and kept his eyes on his Bible verses so as to not see and be distracted by others in their revealing workout attire. A few days later, this gentleman walked in and said hello. It was an honor to meet such a man of great discipline, few words, and obedience in his walk with Christ.
“God wants to purge our souls from sin and self, so that we will be open and willing to follow Him at any cost. He wants to produce in us a trust that can never be shaken. He is drawing us away from a life of senses and feelings and forcing us to turn to Him in naked faith, faith without feelings. He wants us to be able to constantly say and mean, ‘Not my will, but Yours’ and ‘Though You slay me, yet will I trust You.’” (Faith in the Night Seasons, pg 146.)
As an adult with more responsibilities, I must admit that sometimes it is easier to rely on a logical thought process than to trust the Holy Spirit to guide me. This is why it is so important that I am in His Word and listening to Him daily. How else do we know how to follow Him at any cost?
Two months ago at church, they announced different mission trips taking place within the first few months of 2022. I went to the back table and picked up the informational packet to Egypt.
I felt like I was supposed to go, but I wasn’t totally sure and went home and prayed about it. The deadline came and went, and I ended up not feeling led to sign up. This past Sunday, the campus pastor brought a couple on stage who have served in Honduras for over 15 years and shared about their medical needs in that area. Immediately after service, I jumped out of my seat and ran to see if they had any dental needs listed in the packet. “Dentist!” I read, and knew as a dental assistant, I could help. Monday morning, I requested that week off of work and signed up for the trip that night. An hour and a half later, I received an email that informed me I was accepted. I was thrilled at seeing God work!
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
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