Morgan and I made some big plans and big dreams when we were at InterVarsity's Orientation for New Staff. (ONS) Many of them revolved around building a team of partners that could support the ministry God had called us to financially and prayerfully. This has scared us for many months now because doing this ministry of inviting partners to support God's work is really stretching - it's full of risks and faith. There have been so many points during this journey where I have honestly asked myself if I still want to do this because my fear has been bigger than my faith sometimes.
I love Jesus. He shakes his head softly and whispers, "Oh, my little faint-hearted one."
While at ONS, we sang a song called "Our God is Awesome."
Morgan and I told each other that when God provided for us, we would take a bottle of champagne, pop it open and spin it around the room while singing "Our God is Awesome." Particularly the part where all the voices join together and sing aloud: "If you know he's been good to you, sing: Provider! Provider! Provider!" This was the precious promise we made each other - we believed that one day, whether soon or far off, we would praise God in our joy that we will finally begin the work that he has called us to on campus.
It has seemed pretty hopeless this past month. I had hit a lull in my partnership development and was hovering around 25% for about a month. I have been pitying myself for a while, afraid to move forward and do the work needed to accomplish the goal set before me, and my prayers have gotten pretty desperate. Does God provide even when we don't deserve it? Does God make a way even in the driest of deserts? Does God give good gifts to his children even when they fail?
Yes, he does.
It is in great joy and celebration and thankfulness that I can say that in a span of 48 hours he has increased his provision from 25% to 60% of my funding. The gap separating me from planting a new chapter at Georgia Tech just got significantly smaller. The end of the journey is drawing nearer each day.
After finding this out, Morgan and I got into her car and went to get lunch. She looked over at me and said, "Maybe the Lord wants to speak to us through some Gospel music?" I laughed and turned the dial. We both stared at each other in disbelief as the words from the song "Our God is Awesome" began floating through the car.
Tears of joy and laughter streamed down our faces. My heart was full to bursting.
My hands couldn't help but raise toward the heavens as we shouted: "If you know he's been good to you, sing: "Provider! Provider! Provider!"
