As I was reading through Genesis 18 today, I was struck by Sarah laughing at the Word of the Lord. She thought it impossible, and almost silly, for God to give her something so amazing. An heir which He had promised long ago. To her, the renewed promise of a child seemed to come too late. She had longed for a child in her early years. She had no doubt wrestled with God on why, if Abraham was promised heirs, did she not have one? She had even tried to speed up the process, and made Hagar have a son with Abraham. She thought she could hurry the process and get on with the promise. To her, the promise of the heir and blessing was more important than the process. So her response to this long awaited promise, was nervous laughter. God waited to answer her personal prayers in a completely different way, and at an unexpected time.
How often do I laugh at the provision of the Lord? How often do I completely miss the provision of the Lord because it isn't in the form I prayed for? How often do I try and "hurry up" the Lord and fix the situation on my own? So far, church planting is really challenging . However, I believe that the prayers Matthias and I have prayed are being answered. Honestly, where we are in the process of church planting is extemely trying. We don't see how in the world we will find a house in Central Austin, in the next 6 weeks. We have no idea how we will meet hundreds of people to start the church. Over the last week, I started to question our circumstances and found myself "laughing" as Sarah did. My flesh wants to hurry up the process to get on to the promise of a new church plant in Austin. God accomplished everything in Sarah that He desired in His perfect time, for His perfect glory. I long to not question the circumstances, but always believe God for who He is, not what He does or how He does it.
Thanks for all of your prayers!!! Andrea
2 comments:
Andrea,
Today I reread a bookmark that I have and thought of your blog post. Here's what it says: TRUST in His timing, RELY on His promises, WAIT for His answers, BELIEVE in His miracles, REJOICE in His goodness, RELAX in His presence. "Come near to God and He will come near to you." James 4:8
I sometimes think about how at times God appears to delay in giving his provision, such as in the story of Sarah. However, I believe the "delay" is often more of a preparation in receiving the provision. Planting a church takes much faith and trust in God. The steps in moving to Austin and finding reliable housing are perhaps ways He is continuing to build that faith and trust in each of you.
Continue to draw near to Him. He is faithful!
Praying for you all,
Jen G.
This is great info to know.
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