There are times when I feel like I pick up new things really quickly. Not as quickly as Nick Mangine, (which, incidentally, is irritating.) But I can be pretty quick on the uptake at times.
Then there are other times when a I tend to need the same lesson over and over and over and over... (remember "..." means it goes on for infinity like that.)
There's this Haitian prayer in one of my favorite books ever-- (a book EVERYONE should own) called "God is No Stranger" that says this,
Bondye ap fè nou pase mizè pou li ban nou leson. Se sèlman yon moun sòt ki bezwen repete yon leson. (God is teaching us through difficulties. Only a stupid person needs repeat instructions.)
Busted.
Man. Y'all. Today I am convicted that I am that stupid person. After all God has brought me through in this past year, I am so convicted that I STILL find myself wracked with worry. What if _____ happens? What if _____ happens? Where are we going to get the money for _______? How are we going to afford _______? And ... (remember... = infinity)
A couple of years ago we stepped out in faith and God has provided more love and support than we could have ever imagined. He's shown us first hand that when He calls you to something, He makes the way. He's shown us that light and truth win. He's shown us that His Word is truth when He says He will "satisfy our desires with GOOD things." (Psalm 103:5)
So why? Why am I worried? I am worried because I choose to put my faith in things I can see and touch rather than things that are eternal. It's my human nature-- sin living in me that wants to have me.
"Only a stupid person needs repeat instructions."
Just in case I am not the only one who needs repeat instructions, I offer this to you tonight to read (or if you are like me, REread for the millionth time.)
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
