Photo by Edwin Andrade on Unsplash
I was reminded in my Jesus-time this morning while reading the Jesus Calling book, a sister in Christ gave to me last night, I absolutely have to submit every ounce of my planning to God. I did not realize that planning, even little things or trying to figure out how I was going to be able to pay this bill or that bill or what I can do in the physical realm to progress financially or in any and all careers that I desire to have, were all ways that I had been practicing and having disbelief in God.
I had never really looked at it that way. There have been moments when it was clear to me what God was telling me I could have or where I would go or what I would do. Then opposition would come about. Even if there was a moment of wavering in thought, I usually got back on track and got back to having peace about the situation and everything turned out just as God had told me it had.
But what about the promises that He made to provide for me and all of His children daily? Are those no longer valid when something unexpected pops up? Are those now permissible to fret over just because God did not give us the full or even partial blueprint to the day and how to overcome the oppositions that come with it?
I remember when I was being walked through a group bible lesson in Chicago and being taught about how God provides for the birds and the wildflowers. I was asked the question, how much more would God then provide for me when I am His child.
“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all of your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Matthew 6:26-33 NIV
It’s a bit crazy after having gotten out of the hospital at the end of August. Things like money and how my spouse and I will pay for everything we are financially responsible for have been on my mind but not in the way that they were before I quit my job. Used to even with knowing my spouse and me to have worked a full 40+ hour week, it never seemed like enough. Now that it’s just my spouse working, it just feels like God is cradling us through this moment in our life. I truly believe that God told me to go in and quit my job while I was already on a leave of absence and immediately after I did, He told me to go pursue something He had told me to pursue earlier on in the year but I was too afraid to. So, I’m just trusting that He is going to provide for my spouse and me during this time (and always actually) because I am going about doing what it is that He asked me to do in faith that He will provide even while we are on just one income. There have been so many things to pop up financially ever since quitting my job. If God wasn’t enabling me to be in my right mind and the Holy Spirit had not given me a sound mind, I would be panicking and losing it right now. I would be wanting to strive all the time instead of going through the days ahead at the pace of grace.
There is no need that I have ever had that God didn’t know about, nor will that ever change in this moment or the future because God’s word says
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace…”
Hebrews 13:8-9 NIV
Warrior Letters 