Trusting God...

After returning to Denver from a deeply encouraging and uplifting trip in November to South America meeting with Latin American Leaders; I arrived back to be confronted with the challenges of funding our end-of-year needs for Youth for Christ International. As I focused on the financial shortfalls facing the ministry in such difficult economic times I was somewhat overwhelmed with the challenge of raising the funds to meet these needs. I was especially burdened for our donors and ministry partners. As I have met with many of our faithful supporters and friends throughout the year I have been confronted with their pain and the impact this recession is having on these much-loved servants of Jesus. I found myself laying awake at night worrying about finances, deeply concerned for our many friends who are battling to survive in business, praying for them and wondering why things need to be so hard for us at a time when we are overwhelmed with opportunities to grow the ministry and impact so many more young people.

One of the great blessings God has given me is that He has surrounded me with godly men and women who mentor me, support me and pray for me. They soon picked up that something was bothering me and confronted me about this. They reminded me of a special word the Lord had given me recently about His miraculous provision and they challenged me to stop relying on myself and instead trust God. They prayed for me, that I would be able to give this burden over to the Lord. They prayed for our ministry partners that I felt so powerless to help, that God would meet their needs and encourage them in these times of financial famine.

I realized that like Peter, I had taken my eyes off Jesus, looking instead at the storm raging around me. In fear and helplessness I had begun to sink. As I turned my eyes back to Jesus and trusted Him with the burden and fear He lifted me up and carried me into the security of His care, love and sovereignty.

It is now a month later and as I prepare to leave for a trip to Australia to be with family for the holidays, I find myself in a different state of faith. We are half way to meeting our year end financial target and still have some way to go, but God has been so good to us in providing funds and encouragement through His people as well as giving me absolute assurance of His continued provision. So, I am resting in His promise and am confident that He will supply the remainder of the funds we need before the end of the year. I have an amazing sense of peace about this financial challenge and the needs of our friends and supporters. God has given us many reminders about His Sovereignty, providence, care, grace and love.

I pray that you and your families also experience God’s peace and the assurance of His love and provision as you celebrate the coming of Jesus to our world. May you have a wonderful Jesus-filled Christmas and a blessed and God-directed New Year.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen ~ (Eph 3:20-21)