As this season of my life is coming to a close I wanted to share my heart on what the Lord has been teaching me. As I prep to leave the country NEXT WEEK, an entire year of fundraising, big and small life moments, and so many other things are coming to a close.
When I started this pursuit of going on this trip just over a year ago I had no idea what was in store for the year of 2020. I’m not just talking about the very surprising event of an entire pandemic and every other thing that has happened worldwide. I am talking about the refinement that the Lord has brought to my heart and how that refinement, though so heart wrenching at times, has made this past year my best year yet. Yes, outwardly looking at 2020 in overview it should be classified as the worst year of my life. But the reason I classify it as my best is because it is the year that the Lord brought me the farthest in my walk with Him. It is the year that I have seen the Lord’s faithfulness play out before my eyes more than I ever thought I would.
I looked through multiple definitions to the concept of faithfulness which all had essentially the same idea but out of all of them this was the one I resonated with the most. “Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances.” As the Lord appointed me to missions in general and specifically this trip, that was His ultimate decision to lead me in spending time and effort pursuing that. Because HE has done this, He will remain loyal to me in that walk. When He appoints a person to a way of life He is going to always remain faithful to that. Our God is not a God who leads us into something and then turns and leaves us to face it alone. That is something I have come to realize over this journey of raising support. The Lord hasn’t just shown that through monetary provision but also through His huge provision of the best support system of other Christ followers to push me forward and catch me when I fall. Through this I have seen the Lord consistently plant seeds in me and in others without me noticing. Over time as they sprout and grow, I begin to see the Lord working in each aspect of preparing me. I see this happen time and time again. Without fail, every time it never leaves me room to regret the choices of what I am doing or rethink what the Lord has led me into.
In Genesis 32, Jacob is praying to the Lord asking Him to save him from the hand of Esau and at one point he says, “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.” This is such a great example of the Lord’s faithfulness when He leads someone into something. You start off on that journey with nothing but the clothes on your back sometimes, but as you reach the end of a season you can see so clearly how far the Lord has brought you and continued to provide. Jacob left home with nothing but a staff and as we can see the Lord multiplied that into two camps full of supplies and provision. I like to relate that back to my walk. I started off with zero funds raised. I didn’t even have a backpack for the trip. Now almost a year later, I have raised PAST my funding goal, I have all of the equipment needed, and my support system has multiplied more than I could have imagined.
When we center our hearts around righteousness and trusting the Lord fully, He will place everything and plan everything exactly how it should be. As I have been making my way through the book of Isaiah, one big topic has been standing out to me. Those who walk in righteousness and center their hearts around the Lord’s heart, will stand on the mountain tops of His love and will see a land of provision that stretches farther beyond the eye’s ability to see.
“In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” Isaiah 16:5
So, in righteousness, orbit around the Father rather than trying to get Him to orbit around yourself. We can orbit around Him by unfurling the the gifts the Lord has put in us. When we do this He will remain faithful to us and what He has planned for us. He will not just provide our needs but He will provide beyond our needs. He will prepare us for what He has prepared for us. He will plant a seed in every moment, in every person, and in every God centered desire. Our desires do not go unseen. When they are desires of the Lord and they bring glory to His name, we can trust that He will bring these desires to life. They may not always look exactly like we thought or run smoothly in our eyes but, if they are within the plans of our God they will always unfold in the exact way they should. Every moment and step will be covered in His presence because He remains consistently faithful to His children.
“Lord , you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1
This spoke so clearly to my heart. When you submit your life to God and let Him run the show the platform is swept clear. You gave God a huge platform to display ALL His marvelous works. It’s been exciting walking this journey with you and watching as God has supplied all your needs above and beyond what we expected!! Julie u have wrestled well through this last year!!!