Our first couple months of support team building were really difficult. Nothing was happening. Web site was completed. Plan was set. Tons of contacts in place. Nothing. We were discouraged, had doubts, and really wondered what was up. We were praying and fasting and still nothing.
Then during night I had a dream. You know, one of those totally clear, vivid dreams that you remember all the details for. Regardless what your theology on dreams is, this one I believe was given by God for my encouragement. Here’s the dream in a nutshell:
New high rise. In lobby, two old guys were seated talking. I joined in. Suddenly we were on top floor, one got up and headed into his office, and I asked other guy who that was. Malcolm Forbes was his reply. I sensed a pull to go talk with him, so wandered down to his office, went in, asked if I could share with him a most urgent need that could transform thousands of lives and start a continent-wide movement. He said I had 1-2 minutes. I poured out my heart to him about our mission work, and asked him if he would partner with us. I was fumbling over words, had no PPT, no materials, just a big need and a plea to help. He smiled and reached into his drawer and pulled out a bulletin from a local EV Free church. He thought for a moment, then told me he’d commit to $39,000/month, with extra annual donations of a few million to help get our equipping centers up and functioning. I walked out utterly blown away, realizing God did it all. I supplied the fumbling, the inadequate appeal, the mistakes and weakness, and God was sufficient to supply all our needs.
Each person in our family, and most people in the world, experience some area of weakness, inadequacy, vulnerability or fear.
Eric – Depending on a support team to provide for our needs. Language learning.
Holly – Kid’s schooling. That God will use what we have to offer to make a difference for Him.
Adam – Nervous about diseases, yellow fever, malaria, etc. Doctors might not be so good.
Andrew – Going away from all my friends, and making new friends.
Alyssa – Getting bit by mosquitoes and having allergic reactions.
Allow me to share a few Scripture passages with you. Look them up on your own to be encouraged from God’s Word.
Is. 40:28-30 – “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Jesus Himself voluntarily chose weakness and poverty and struggle (2 Cor.8:9; Phil.2 –Emptied Self.)
1 Cor. 2:2-5 – Focus on Christ alone. Came with weakness and fear that power of God might be manifest – faith of others would rest in God, not men.
2 Cor. 3:4-5 – Our confidence and sufficiency rests in Christ.
2 Cor. 4:7-10 – Treasure in jars of clay to show God’s power. Struggle but not squashed.
2 Cor. 12:1-10 – Paul had the highest calling, yet always aware of weaknesses / struggles / dependence. By His grace, He is strong and sufficient.
Why does God design us to be inadequate and weak and needy?
1. To bring glory to Himself – increase His worship.
2. To grow us stronger in Him. (Trust in Him and not ourselves, keep from pride, etc.) Sounds strange that by being weak, we can grow stronger. But we must be purged of stubborn independence and self-will. Only understand God’s grace when we see our own weakness.
I hope you are encouraged to lean on Christ, His strength, and His grace, through your weaknesses and struggles. He is sufficient and ready to do a very good work, in and through you.
From the Potter’s wheel,
Eric