Prelude: So, if you know me at all, you know that I am the type of person that likes to do things myself. Although I hope I’ve come a ways in recent years, I am fully aware that my pride is something I struggle with daily.
A few weeks ago I was skyping with a dear friend who is trying to read through the Bible in chronological order. She inspired me through her desire to stick with it, even though she is months behind. I figured, why not give it a try. So since then, I’ve begun reading through the Old Testament. Oh the stories! It’s amazing to me, no matter how many times I read them or hear them, I’m humbled and challenged. The patriarch’s feelings of self-sufficiency, impatience, the desire to know why all resonate with my prideful heart. This week’s theme that has stuck out to me is the Old Testament individuals’ desire to help God. Abraham and Issac both wanted to help God protect themselves by lying to kings about their relationships with their wives. Abraham tried to help God produce offspring by sleeping with another woman. Aaron’s sons took it upon themselves to offer additional sacrifices, something that might appear to be good but was not in obedience to God, and it cost them their lives. Over and over I see examples of people taking matters into their own hands and only making a situation more difficult in the future, if not immediately. How might the Israelite’s journey back into the promised land been different if the descendents of Ishmael weren’t already living there? This isn’t a post of what ifs though.
You see, I’ve had this decision to make about where to live next year; well, it isn’t so much a decision to make as it is a decision I’ve already made. I know I want to learn Spanish; in fact I feel like I’m being commanded to learn Spanish, and I think living with a host family will be the best way to put myself in that Spanish environment. It’s just a matter of finding a family to live with. I’ve mentioned my desire to live with a family to various people, but nothing has happened yet. I’d be lying if I said that it doesn’t cause me a little anxiety, but here are the truths that I cling to in those moments.
1. God knows my needs and will provide them. (Philippians 4:19)
2. Taking matters into my own hands, rather than trusting in God’s timing, gets me nowhere but trouble.
3. He promises to give me peace if I commit the issue to Him. (Philippians 4:6-7)
4. Through the process of waiting, He is shaping me into his image and will use this experience for His glory. (Romans 8:28)
Epilogue: Here I am, 42 days away from being back in the States and only 30 days of school. I’m excited to see how this story will unfold, and I ask you to pray with me as seek after God and wait in his timing.
Leave a comment