I just have to show you the church sign I passed yesterday afternoon. “Faith in God includes faith in his timing.” I sped right past that and did a good Christian “Mmmm-mm, Oh-that’s-a-good-word” thing we all do. Then I came home to the email that said our long awaited and fought for building move was off. What did that sign say again?
My friend texted me and asked “how are you doing, honestly?”
“Really hopeful. And I need a good cry,” I said.
Listen this isn’t my first rodeo. Or even my 10th. But you know what, it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been in a rodeo, when you fall off the bull, it knocks the wind out of you.
But here comes God.
Holy Spirit stands over you while you are sprawled out and breathless, flashes that reassuring smile, offers you a hand (or a sign), and says “Get up and let’s keep going. There’s things to do.”
You know why we get up? Because when He starts sharing His dreams with us, when He starts asking us to risk and fail and keep risking, you know there is adventure on the horizon. He is on the horizon.
He is the before me, behind me, hand upon me God.
So risk and failure seem a little less daunting. What is more frightening to me than the falling is the thought that the bruises of my falling down would keep me from running after His dreams.
What if He has a better place, a bigger place in mind? What if I have been playing it safe and small because I lacked the faith to really go after it?
What if you and I both actually believed God when He says:
“I got this.”
So yeah. I’m up. Dusted off. Had a good cry. Breathing again. And I ain’t quitting. He’s too good for that.
At New Wine Church we have these beautiful offering declarations we borrowed from Bethel Church. The Lord brought back to mind a few lines from the one we prayed this past Sunday morning:
Repentance from poverty,
small thinking, and envy.
Courage to recognize opportunities
and make wealth.
Abundance to bless the world
and the prudence to save and invest.
Revelation to pass on wealth
to our children’s children
Bring it Jesus.