Overcoming the Mountains we Fear

Last month marked the beginning of a new season in our family and ministry. For months I had been sensing from God that my time as a part time office manager for a local manufacturer was coming to a close. In fact, for over 3 months, I received on a weekly basis an encouragement from the Lord to trust Him and get ready to “step out into a new season.” I must admit, that I struggled with this idea and spent many hours processing with God what it would mean for us financially to walk away from my job that had finally brought us some financial stability. However, each time I prayed, I kept sensing a reassurance from the Lord that He was going to take care of us and that He wanted to be that source of stability in our finances.

In the meantime, while I was wrestling with God over this decision, I began seeing things falling apart at the office as the favor I once walked in there began to fade away. This was something that I could not ignore, so in the early parts of last month, I came home and told my wife that it was time to pray and take action. As we prayed, I opened my Bible App to find that the scripture of the day was “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. Of all moments for this verse to appear on my phone, this one was timed so well that I could not miss the magnitude of the voice of our Father speaking.

Since I finally took a step of faith and resigned a few weeks ago, we have seen God move in incredible ways that brought back memories to the way He provided for us in Guatemala. When we lived in Guatemala, we saw God do the impossible time and time again. Whether it was needing funds to buy our children’s school supplies, or needing an increase to pay for an upcoming ministry outreach, or needing funds for a major investment like buying a home, He never failed to come through.

It may seem strange to some who are reading this, but since the day we decided to move to the States to serve in missions here locally, I have struggled to believe that God could provide the same way He did for us in Guatemala. For me, the mountain was just too big as the cost of living in the US is at least 3 times what it is in Guatemala. Even though we came to the US with nothing and saw God instantly provide 2 cars, a home, all the furniture we needed, and a fully equipped kitchen, I still struggled. I believe a big part of the reason God was challenging me to let go of my job was to show me again that He is bigger than our circumstances and that there are no mountains that we cannot overcome when He is by our side.

We serve a faithful and incredible God! Immediately after I finally stepped out and resigned, we began to see unexpected checks start coming in the mail, including one that had been delayed for 2 months. We got to connect again with an old supporter who felt God wanted her to invest again in our ministry. We had another supporter write us that she had been feeling led for the last few weeks to pour financially into our ministry (which happened to coincide with the moment I resigned). I had a member of our church approach me about editing her latest book, which has been quite the adventure for me as I love to read books that challenge believers to grow in their walk with God. I have also been given the opportunity to serve one of the entrepreneurs of our local church in her business that helps serve the elderly.

God is on the move in our family and is opening my eyes again to see the endless possibilities that lie before us. He is beginning to show me that I can believe again like I did for 15 years in Guatemala. He is showing me that the key to victory is to maintain my eyes on Him. We don’t know yet where all of this is going to go. What we do know is that as we move forward with Him and follow His leading, that He is going to be right there at our side, taking care of us. His word says in Psalm 119 that “He is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Mark 9:23 says that “All things are possible for him who believes”. It does not matter what country you are from or what country you are currently living in. All things are possible for those who believe!

In closing this blog entry, my prayer is that your own faith will be stretched so that you can follow His leading and stay on the path that He has lit before you. I pray that the storm you may feel around you will be silenced so that you can see that He is right there with you. There is no mountain that is too big, no situation too difficult to overcome, and no need that He cannot meet. Whatever it is that you feel God challenging you to do, I encourage you to start taking baby steps in the right direction. Don't let the mountain that is standing in your way keep you from reaching your destiny. It may not be easy, but I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.