San Diego Capernaum had its first committee meeting yesterday! Praise God! I am so amazed at what God has accomplished in and through all of us. Sometimes Andrea and I just look at each other with nothing to say because we are just so amazed at what is happening. I know that angels are rejoicing in heaven because they see what is happening in San Diego. Jesus is being proclaimed!!!!! What can overpower the joy of this!!
Yesterday, I almost let something overpower my joy and like Christ asks, I laid my burdens on him and he was mighty to save in awesome ways. As I left my house after preparing for the meeting in the morning I got in my car. On the way to Rancho Bernardo from SDSU my car made a huge "thump" in the road. I looked aorund and saw no pot holes or shrapnel in the road.I kept driving just knowing that I needed to get to the meeting on time. Once I was on the 15 freeway just past the 52 my front-right tire exploded and I went screeching to the side of the road. I called Andrea and told her that I probably wasn't going to be on time or maybe in attendance. IT wasn't the best time in the world to also find out that my AAA had expired in May. With 15 minutes wasted I just changed my tire out with the spare and went on my way.
Half way to the meeting I realized that I would have to buy a new tire and I didn't have a lot of money to be able to do that. My next fund raising deadline is coming up and all the money I have raised is still tied up in a bank account I cant access until I get hired (which can only happen once the $15,000) is raised. I began to weep while I was driving because I felt so "mistreated". I have just graduated from a prestigious university with a great resume and leadership experience. I thought "I could have a really steady paycheck right now and who knows what kinds of advancement opportunities...but no...I have close to nothing." I was mad at God for a moment. Why is this happening to me? I am dedicating my life to this ministry!
As I drove I was reminded of a sermon by John Piper Prosperity Gospel. I remembered the words "God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied with him in the midst of loss." I decided to stop my whining and throw down my regret and anger. I said, "the devil can take my tire but he has already lost...he can't keep me from GETTING to this meeting, and I will not let him keep me from BEING here." We proceeded to succesfully finish our first committee meeting. God has truly blessed this ministry. I am so very excited for what is to come and for what Andrea, Susan, Marcie, Linda and Steve are going to accomplish through the Holy Spirit within the next month.
After the meeting, one of the committee members offered me lunch and during out lunch offered to buy me a new tire. I was very hesitant at first, I was still letting pride control my motives. I didn't want to be the poor ministry kid who needs help. But they helped me understand what should happen. They said "this is what we (christians) should be doing. I really want you to let me get you the tire that you need." After a few minutes I let them do it and it was a blessing I will never forget. Praise God for his children and how he allows us to take care of each other.
1 John 3:17-18, Romans 8:32, Proverbs 22:9
This committee member loved me that day and I know that God is so satisfied with their joyous giving not only because of the blessing it is to me but because they have chosen to follow God's will and to serve. I know that the love of God is in them because it overflows from their lives!! I am not amazed and blessed because of the tire itself but because of their faithfulness!!! I should not have felt the way I did not in the morning in those brief moments. God has already saved me from everything. Any suffering I have now is to glorify him and see that the work of God be displayed in my life! (John 9:1-5)
I want to make sure that the story is clear. God did not bless me with material things, but he has blessed me with believers who at the drop of a hat would give all they had to see God's will be done and to serve others around them. My God is MIGHTY TO SAVE, and he didn't save me from the cost of a tire, but from the loneliness and fear of being alone. God didn't save my wallet, he saved my very soul.
Glorify God today and let his work be displayed in your life! He has blessed us in his love for us and he will not let us be taken from his unending gracious love!
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