an unsettling way.My initial thought was a normal Christian one, “Of course He won’t….because He is our Provider”. But then that thought was immediately followed by, “Oh really? He won’t let YOU starve? Why not?”
Why won’t He let you starve? I have met plenty of starving people in Africa and India. I’m sure there are people starving right outside your door in Costa Rica. Why won’t He let YOU starve? What makes you different? Do you really think you are more special or important to God then the 100 million people all around the world right now who are malnourished and literally starving to death?”
Now, please understand that the above thought was not directed in judgment of that particular missionary. I know she knows there are people starving in Costa Rica; she has written blogs about how much their lives humble her and how thankful they make her for what she does have. She does ministry with the slum children, loving them, feeding them, and teaching them. I understand that she is aware that she is NOT more special or more important in God’s eyes. (and I really love her blog because she is raw, and real, and honest).
Yet, she still said that FAITH-filled statement. “I know God won’t let us starve.”
It’s the same kind of statement I’ve said a million times in my Christian life.
“God has not forgotten us. He will come through in the 11th hour!”
“God will not let anything happen to my husband, He will keep him safe!”
“God knows we need a car. He will help us find one we can afford!”
“God knows what we need to pay the bills. He will take care of us!”
The list goes on and on and on. I wanted to believe when I was planning my wedding that God was a God of detail and He would make sure our special day was absolutely perfect!
Now, I understand that those statements have a lot of truth in them. He is our Provider. He will never forget us or forsake us. He does come through in miraculous ways sometimes! He even showed up in some of the details of our wedding day! We have a whole “God Did” book of wonderful things He has done for us specifically. But here’s where those statements have started to rub me the wrong way…
What about the people overseas who live in utter despair, crying out for God to feed them, heal them, help them? For many of them, it doesn’t happen.
There are millions of mothers out there, right now, living in poverty…. crying out for God to help them feed their children.
There are millions of children out there, crying out for God to heal their parents from AIDS.
There are millions of refugees out there, crying out for God to give them a home.
There are millions of widows out there, crying out for God to protect them.
And I don’t understand it, but I know that in both situations He is still good. And in both situations, He is still powerful, and loving, and in control. I know He still hears all our prayers.
What I wonder is, WHY do we think we are different than them? Why do we say, with absolute certainty, that He WILL provide for us?
Is it because we think we are more important?
Is it because we are American?
Is it because I am a missionary?
Great question, Ericka! One I have found myself asking, particularly this summer while leading a Real Life India trip. We shout our declarations, recognizing the power that comes from the Source of real Life, and then we go out and face hard aspects of daily real life in rural India. We rejoice when people turn to God and trust Him to provide and protect because we know that He is good and He wants to respond. Blessings follow our faithful obedience, and, of course, there is so much that we don’t see.
Yes, God will always provide for you what it is in His will to provide. If He wants someone to suffer with others for the Gospel, He is providing for them in ways that they usually cannot see during the trials, but when they are through with the trial, whether the situation clears up or they are called home, they have reason to rejoice.
A couple days after I read your post on “Arrogance or Faith” I read John 6:25-59 about Jesus proclaiming that He is the Bread of Life and it spoke to me about this issue. Jesus says “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (6:35) Jesus also states “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (6:27). The focus here seems to be on being spiritually fed and filled by God. Though in the earthy realm we may wonder why certain people have physical food and some go hungry, the most important thing is that every person is spiritually fed. We could have more than enough physical food everyday but without feeding on Christ we are hungry and empty. Jesus gives us life! “Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.” (John 6:57) So, as long as we know Christ and pursue Him we’ll never go hungry spiritually which is most important. Thanks for writing this post!
Beth More writes in her Daniel study (Paraphrased):
We may be delivered from the fire, through the fire or by the fire into his arms… no matter what we are delivered.
Hebrews 11:1-2,6
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Sometimes God takes our mustard seed faith and grants even our selfish american desires because it brings him Glory.
So while a motive check is always important, check out Habakkuk 2:4 “See, he is puffed up;
his desires are not upright—
but the righteous will live by his faith.”
So I think God just wants us to take big (or little) steps of faith and believe, not out of egotism, but to know him more and share his greatness with others.