Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

Blog

Explore My News,
Thoughts & Inspiration

RSS Feed

| by | No Comments | Views 0

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea,tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”
(Matthew 14:22-32)

I feel like Peter. I heard the Lord call me on this mission trip. I stepped out of the boat with obedience, and started walking on the water towards Him. And now the waves seems so big, and the wind so strong. My eyes have gone from focusing on Him to focusing on the surrounding wind and waves. I can feel myself slowing sinking into the water. I am afraid.

Oh me of little faith. Why do I doubt Him?

The wind is the dead lines. The waves are the money. Only 3 weeks until I leave, 3 weeks and I still need $1,670 in the bank and $3,150 in pledges. All within 3 weeks OR I CANNOT GO. I look around me and the waves are so big and the wind so strong. And I am slowly sinking.

The disciples had witnessed Jesus’ control over the wind and waves before. And previously they were afraid and had little faith. After Jesus had already proven His power to them, Peter still was afraid and had little faith.

“Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
(Matthew 8:23-26)

I have also previously scene His control and power over the “wind and waves” in my life. He has provided for this trip so far. He has already proven His power and control to me, yet I am still afraid and have little faith.

My parents have offered from the start that, if need be, they will co-sign a loan for me and pay off the interest while Im gone. Within the last few weeks they have warned me of my deadlines and told me that a loan process could take a little while so I should get on top of it. They think it is smart to have a back up plan.

Today I face myself with 2 options.

1. Have complete faith that God will provide the money in the 3 weeks. He does, and I go. He doesn’t, and I don’t go.

2. Have partial faith that God will provide the money, take out a loan as a “back up” plan to insure I go.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
(Hebrew 11:1)

 

I don’t know where the money will come from. I don’t know how the money will come in on time. I don’t know who the money will come from. These things are not scene, but hoped for. This is faith, believing that God will provide, even though I cannot see it. Choosing to have a “back up plan” is not placing my faith in God.

 
I have decided to choose to walk on water, threw the wind and waves, placing my faith in God. If He wants me to go on this trip, which I believe He does, then He will provide the needs for the trip. He will finish the work He has begun in me. The funds will come in within the deadlines. He will conquer the wind and waves.