Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Trust & Obey

I think it's important to understand, first and foremost, that this is my story. 

I want people to know that this is a glimpse into my walk with the LORD. 

This is what I have learned/am learning after walking with the LORD for 13 years. 

I say that so you can better understand what I'm about to tell you. 

So, why don't you make a cup of coffee (or tea) and join me as I share how the LORD has been working in my life lately. 




Last Thursday, I went and visited my prospective university to learn more about them, and the degree I hope to obtain. 

Later in the day, I had a conversation with someone in the college system. 

When I mentioned that my desire was to graduate debt free, their response was, "There is good debt and bad debt. Student debt is good debt."

I just nodded and said, "okay."

Hours later, I still couldn't come to peace about it in my mind. 

The Bible talks about how the borrower is the servant to the lender, that we should be good stewards of our time and money, and that the LORD is Jehovah-jireh (the LORD will provide).  

Now, before I tell you my response, I want to give you a bit of background...

About 3 1/2 years ago,  I attended a college fair where I met the Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions of my prospective school. He invited my family and I (plus my friend who is there now) to attend an informational dinner the following week. 

It was there that I decided to pursue this particular university. 


I toured the college the following the year but the LORD, in His infinite grace and wisdom, said, "Not yet." 


He kept taking me back to the story of Abraham. 


Abraham simply obeyed the LORD, and trusted Him. 



(now, I know Abraham is not perfect so please don't fixate on that. Fixate on the fact that Abraham obeyed the LORD, and trusted Him to provide.)



I gave my career/college plans to the LORD, and trusted that He would lead me wherever He saw fit for me to go. 


During that season of waiting, I continued to take classes at the community college, invest my time and energy to various activities, and develop friendships that I know will last a lifetime. 



Then, last Fall, the LORD allowed me to pursue the university of my dreams. 


I applied, was accepted, and attended a day specifically for transfer students like myself.

Within 18 hours, through comments from various people, I knew that this was the school the LORD had picked out for me.

So, here I am. 


I'm six months out from attending my prospective university. 


...and I'm short quite a few (thousand) dollars. 


And that's when the LORD led me back to the story of Abraham.

Genesis 22 tells the story when the LORD told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac.


Right as Abraham is going to strike his son, the LORD calls out to him, and provides a ram.


 "So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, 'On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.'"
Genesis 22:14

The name used for the LORD in this particular passage  is Jehovah-jireh – the LORD will provide. 

And this is what I need y'all to understand... 

If the LORD wants me at this school in 6 months, He will provide a way. That could be through scholarships, job opportunities, and various other avenues.

But, I believe that going into debt is not one of them. I just don't have the peace about taking out student loans.  


Honestly, I don't think that's the LORD's plan for me.

He will provide. He's done it in the past, and He will do it again.


 All He asks of me is that I trust & obey Him.

I've seen it in the lives of my friends and family. 

One family in particular who titled their blog post:  If you think we're crazy, you should get to know our Father. 

Here's an excerpt from it:  

"The world will begin to listen when God’s children begin loving in a way that not only says but shows that, “There is no way this could work without God”.

And friends, if God doesn’t show up in this adoption- both the process and moving forward- we have no Plan B.

He is our only Answer.

He is the One we are trusting.

This is His plan from before the beginning of time.

Our God is looking for people who seek to make His glory known by stepping out in faith, stepping forward in obedience, and doing the very thing that we can confidently say,

“If God doesn’t show up, we are in trouble”.

And friends- He will show up."



Friends, what if we started to do that? To obey God and trust Him with each step? 

Think about what a witness that would be to the watching world! 

Just like Morgan and Hugh, I can obey the LORD, and trust Him with each step. 

Just like Abraham, I can prepare, and trust that He will show up. 

I don't have worry about anything. I know for certain that He will provide through whatever means necessary. 

So, what's my plan you might ask? 

To simply trust and obey.