By Dora Phan, Maranatha Director
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness—2 Peter 1:3.
One night during my senior year of high school, I remember standing in the kitchen with my parents as I faced the reality of the cost of college. Instead of giving me instructions on financial aid or loan information, they told me first of all to pray and figure out where God was calling me to go and then we would see how the Lord was going to provide for that school. I am so amazed at my parents—at probably one of the scariest moments for them—embracing God and his promises for me that day. They really did believe that if I put God’s will first, it was on him to help us come up with the money in ordinary or extraordinary methods.
God’s people wrestled with their faith as well and at times truly obeyed God and watched him keep his promises to them. Joshua, for example, was very obedient as he led Israel into the Promised Land. He passed on the Lord’s instructions to the people to march around a city a bunch of times and then shout and play trumpets. How absurd that must have seemed to them! But God used this moment to build their faith as he completely knocked down the walls of the powerful city of Jericho.
One of the biggest hurdles to trusting God’s promises is our fear! Imagine sitting down and writing out everything you are afraid of. It could be hours before some of us came up for air! I think we get easily tangled with doubts, consumed by extra “rational” thoughts (worried perhaps how others might view our decisions), failing to seek the Lord’s will first. I am not saying God is irrational or always using crazy means to accomplish his purposes, because we know that he often does use ordinary methods and people to do all sorts of wonderful things for his kingdom work. But I do think when we can’t see for ourselves those ordinary means, we try to help God by worrying or asking questions he does not command us to have the answer to before we obey. Our fears take over before we even get to our knees before the Lord, wait on him and show our confidence that he will work it out.
In every single imaginable way, God will give us everything we need to thrive in the good work he has given us to do.
How quick we are to forget that he who has the riches of heaven at his command would never leave us lacking in any way for something he has called us to do. Paul encourages us in this way, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). In every single imaginable way, God will give us everything we need to thrive in the good work he has given us to do. There is no room left for fear or clamoring for control, but only confidence in the love and power of Christ!
Our Maranatha teens are gearing up for another summer of short term trips. We will continue to host day camps in Northeast and West Philly, along with spending time with our partners in Palo Alto, DR. We are aiming to fundraise close to $90,000 together. We are making plans according to where we see the Lord directing our steps, and we are eager to see how he will provide every need we will have to accomplish his purposes for this summer.
We are never too young to begin building a foundation of trusting the Lord in everything! Join us in prayer for our faith to grow as we wait on the God who promises to “supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).