Listened to the Beth Moore video that Pastor Chris recommended at church last night. (It was truly dynamite by the way.) On the side there was a link to a Francis Chan video from the same conference. The title was God is Faithful (or something similar), and since we are in waiting mode with our youngest and her husband, I decided to watch it.
Let me preface the rest of this by saying with honesty, I do not wait well. I get an idea and jump in with both feet. I fidget at the doctor's office, the dentist's office and while waiting for trains to clear the road. I'm not very good at doing nothing (which is not be to be confused with not being good at wasting time because I am EXCELLENT at that). As such, I always want to "fix it." I love finding ways to help God out (in spite of the fact that I cut my teeth on stories of Sarah and Rachel and all those other wives and mommas who tried to "help" God fulfill his plan). On more than one occasion God has had to send me a message to remind me that he didn't really need my "help" on this one thanks for offering anyway.
But I digress.
Francis Chan's video addressed several issues, but the one that's rolling around in my head is the idea of trust. He talked about how he just doesn't trust people completely (probably smart from my own personal experience - people have a way of stomping your trust in the ground and grinding it down into the dirt with their heels sometimes). Unfortunately, he said that his lack of trust in people sometimes bleeds over into a lack of trust in God. Definitely food for thought.
I would never say I don't trust God, but I'm afraid that my actions say it for me sometimes. Enter my need to "fix" things. I bet I've come up with half a dozen half-baked ideas for "helping" Andy and Dena as they wait for God to open the next door for ministry. The truth of the matter is God doesn't need my help. He knows where the door is. He has the key in his hand. He will unlock it when the time is right and not until then.
The kids may have to live through some uncertain times until then. Satan will probably do his utmost to discourage them during the waiting - I know he's been working overtime on me - but in spite of Satan's attacks and my own impatience, there are only two choices. Trust - or - don't.
Last night and then again this morning, I was led (first by our pastor and then by Beth Moore) to look at the detail with which God planned our redemption. All the pieces fit together perfectly. Everything fell into place at just the right time. God perfectly orchestrated every detail of both the old covenant and the new and the way the first is a reflection of the second. He arranged the prophecies. He sent His very own Son to be our substitute and having sent Him, allowed His crucifixion at the point in time that would create the most highly symbolic comparison for future generations imaginable.
Having gone to all the time and trouble to save us, it's a little ridiculous to assume that he won't provide an avenue for us to serve Him. (It would make about as much sense as buying a new lawn mower and then leaving it in the garage while the weeds overtake the yard).
My wonderful son-in-law loves God with his whole heart. He is a uniquely gifted song-writer, musician and speaker. God has a place of service for him, and He will place Andy and Dena there if they continue to make themselves available, and He will meet their immediate needs in the meantime. No matter how many hard knocks their trust in people have taken, they can trust God completely (and so can I) because for Him to fail us is against His very nature.
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