there is no plan b

[I originally wrote this for my newsletter. But I got some news that made me decide not to keep it in there. And since I thought this was all pretty significant in my walk with Christ here it as as a blog post.]

I had a conversation recently that might represent what some of you are wondering. This question arose: “What are you going to do if you don’t get your visa?” Well, I pondered that question long after the conversation was over and I came to this conclusion. I am not making a Plan B. I thought of people in the Bible who received promises from God and then waited. Abraham came to mind. God promised Abraham that a son would come from his own body and that his descendents would number as the stars. When waiting became too hard Abraham and Sarah tried Plan B. Ishmael was the result. But God remained faithful. Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah. And through him God’s promise was kept.

In God’s special timing I heard a sermon from Genesis 15 the very next Sunday titled “The God Who Makes Promises and the People Who Believe Them.” Here’s the outline. 1. The Lord God makes gracious promises. 2. The Lord God’s promises often appear doubtful of completion. 3. The Lord God’s promises when trusted and rested in give us a relationship with God.

When I look at how God has worked in history I have to say 9 months waiting for a visa is not very long. I believe God’s call for us is as sure as his promise to Abraham. And with that in mind we will wait in hope and faith for God to move. And while we wait we’ll work on language learning, chase the last of our funding, and serve the area InterVarsity groups whenever I have the chance.

Life lesson: Challenging questions can either discourage us or make us cling to God's promises.

[Last week I was told that my visa was on the consul's desk waiting to be signed (and that's the news that kept this post out of my newsletter). Hopefully it comes this week.]

If you'd like to hear the sermon take this link:
http://www.firstfreesf.org/messages_mp3-pdf/Genesis%2015%201-16%20Mar%208%202009.mp3