I remember lying in bed, paralyzed by fear.
It wasn’t just the unknown that scared me, but the series of unknowns.
When the door to serving in Africa opened, I knew it would cost a great deal. How would pay for it? Cliff and I looked at each other, heart sunk with gravity, knowing it’d be a five figure sum endeavor.
So how surprised were we to discover only after we said yes, that my flight, accommodations and daily stipends would be fully covered.
Nervously, I asked, “At any one point, might I be staying in a tent?” I was dead serious.
The lead at the Geneva head office pursed his lips, as if holding a chuckle. “I’ll let you find out for yourself,” he said.
I remember how it was in Uganda- Cliff and I sleeping on a mattress on the floor under a mosquito net with holes, patched with tape. When it rained, we’d lay out towels around it because water seeped through the louvre windows. I braced myself for come what may this time, but was housed far better than I had imagined.
But drats, after the high of the trip would come a grueling quarantine. After the high of a prayer-covered, grace-filled trip, I’d come back to crash and burn in a stressful little matchbox for 7 days, with a hefty price to pay. Gosh, I’d hate that.
But I told God, I’ll manage. You’ve done the hard parts, I can do this last bit.
A week before returning home, I was told my quarantine was sponsored.
Coming home, how grateful I was to find a room with space to exercise, far larger than I’d expected, and the view of the sunrise over the beautiful sea. The 7-day transit back to normal life to decompress and reflect was a blessing.
God knew exactly what I needed, though I didn’t know any of this at the start. Even when I was paralyzed with fear.
Beloved, if you’re struggling to say yes to God because of the unknowns ahead, you’re not alone.
But remember, He’s got you from the beginning to the end, and if we’d only keep our hearts open, perhaps we might be greatly surprised by His gifts along the way.
Such is the generosity of His Father’s heart.
So trust Him, say yes. Let Him take you on an adventure. 🦅