9 James says that we have not because we ask not. So true, especially in my life. This process, like i said, teaches you to pray. But even more than that, it brings the gift of watching God ANSWER those prayers every day. I’m not talking stuff like, “God please let me live and eat today…” God does answer those and we need to jump in praise for that mercy. But i’m talking like, “Jesus i am desperate for you to give me favor with this next call. I don’t have any appointments and i’ve dialed ten people in a row. Please just get me a meeting, i know you can.”
10 Jeremiah 12:5 says, “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” The trials and discomforts and stretching of support raising is a design of God. It is intentionally hard because life is intentionally hard, and following Jesus is intentionally the hardest. On top of that, going to places where people hate Jesus and expecting them to change their hearts is impossible. But “what is impossible with man is possible with God.” The testings of support raising are the beginnings of a gritty faith you lean into once you’ve been on the mission field 7 years without seeing someone come to Christ and the people you are ministering to keep trying to kill you. I would not trade this season for anything. It would be suicide for me to step into my ministry with someone handing me a check for tens of thousands. Maybe this isn’t true for everyone, maybe it is. In any case, i rejoice that God is treating me like a son (Hebrews 12) and not sending me out with week knees.
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I’ve been in Nor Cal for the past few days to attend a wedding and speak at a church. Last night my best friend Daniel got married. It was one of the most joy filled days i can remember. The whole time in Auburn was amazing. We went white water rafting for the bachelor party, stayed at Laurie’s mentor’s house (which was like a resort!), and spent time celebrating God’s blessings. The last few days spent with Daniel were especially sweet and a gift from the Lord.
The most powerful thing i learned or re-learned this weekend from conversations with married friends and the wedding ceremony was the powerful witness a marriage is to the gospel. My friend Sara said, “I see Jesus more now in the way that Caleb loves me…” What an awesome ambition to have for a marriage.
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