Surprised by the Almighty

The other day I had an amazing experience while going about a mundane activity that I was not looking forward to. I walked out of my dentist appointment with a plan in place and a generous donation to our upcoming mission trip! Unexpected ... and unrequested! But so timely in many ways.

This caused me to think back to the time in my life when I was a Bible school student, with very limited resources. I would constantly query the Lord as to how exactly I would be able to accomplish this. "Trust Me," was all I would hear from Him. The entire two years was what I refer to as a "walk of faith" ... beginning with a surprise contribution by a friend, who knew my situation. This enabled me to take that leap of faith and travel from Maine to Texas to attend Bible school in the first place.

But as I walked out of the dentist office the other day, the memory came flooding back - it was my 3rd semester, and I had already been given an extension to the due date for the funds required. The funds were not there, and I was walking across the campus courtyard, heading to the accounting office to inform them that I had no additional funds to add to my account, much less the total amount owed. For me, this was a moment where I found myself between the proverbial "rock and a hard place." I knew it would take nothing short of a miracle for me to acquire the funds necessary to complete my time at Bible school; however, in my current situation, I knew it was just as much a miracle for me to leave and find my way back to my home state, or find other accommodations. Yet, I knew that simple phrase I had heard in my spirit, "Trust Me," was just as relevant that day as it was before I had taken that step to attend Bible school. So - onward I walked to face whatever the situation warranted.

But God had a surprise in store for me on that short walk. I heard someone calling my name, and as I turned towards the voice, I saw a friend of mine racing toward me. "Barbara!" She said. "I've been looking all over for you!" She stretched out her hand, and I saw a check! "Here! God told me to give you this!" She had no idea where I was headed, or just how critical the need was. I expressed my sincere gratitude, turned and continued my trip across the courtyard.

That check, though not the entire amount needed, was a game changer that day. The director of accounting looked from me to my account balance, and then to the check amount. Then he looked back at me. "God wants you here. We'll work with you!" That was his response. He had the authority to dismiss me - even after presenting the check, but took pause and gave the gracious reply that made the difference in my life. And to this day, I refer to that experience every time I find myself between any other "rock and a hard place." The same God Who met that need, in a surprising manner, continues to astound me with His ways and resources.

I find myself fascinated by the ways that God chooses to work! Doesn't it seem odd that an Almighty God, with all the resources of eternity, would consistently choose to meet needs in such a manner? My thought is that His goal is not to frustrate us, but to teach us that our confidence rests in Him, not in seeing the entire plan beforehand. The Lord Himself says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8-9‬ ‭NLT

There's a story from the Bible that comes to mind here. If you're familiar with the story from 2 Kings 4 about the widow ... she was also in that place in a much more significant way than I was. Her sons were about to be taken as slaves because she was in such debt. Elisha told her to gather as many empty jars as she could find - in her home, as well as from her friends and neighbors. Once she did as he told her (a huge step of faith in itself), she had no idea what was about to occur. She placed the first jar underneath what she thought was a very limited supply of oil in a flask, and it filled to the brim. Surely she expected the flask to show a decrease in the contents, but there was none. She reached for another jar ... and saw the same thing happen. Again, the flask contents remained undiminished. The widow saw the unexpected happen ... every container was filled to the brim as she placed it near the source of oil! Once the needs were met, and the jars stopped coming, the flowing of the oil ceased. Every need was met with enough for her and her sons. She was indeed surprised by the Almighty!

My hope is that if you are reading this and find yourself in between that "rock and a hard place," this will bring encouragement to you. The same God that met me in an unexpected manner in Bible school, the same God who surprised me with a generous donation the other day, is exactly the same One Who sees your situation. One thing you can count on - He will find a way to surprise and delight you with His answer to your need! And I'll pass on the advice He gave me so many years ago ... "Trust Me!"