July

The end of July is when I need to have 70% of my monthly support committed and 100% of my sending expenses in. That deadline and raising support didn't worry me, though. I was trying to schedule meetings with friends and family, and I knew that as for timing – “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” Proverbs 16:9

One friend shared with me that God leads us step by step, and all we can do is take the next step. I found that very encouraging, because the whole process of Journey Corps has been a completely new and unfamiliar experience, and I never would have expected to be doing all of this right now. 

However, when the last week of July finally came, and I was 13% supported, I began to wonder what God’s plans were. I strive to not worry because of Matthew 6:25-34, but I think it is accurate to say I was quite a bit outside my comfort zone. There was one day, when I was feeling particularly helpless and then suddenly remembered a bible story that I had learned through my parent’s bible storying training. It was the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000…

Now I know many of you have already heard this story (Mathew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, & John 6), but let me tell it to you again. There were definitely small details that changed the way I understood the story.

Jesus had a very close cousin named John, whom He had had a very close connection with from even before birth. One day he received news that the king had had John beheaded and then his head served on a platter. After hearing the distressing news Jesus retreated to a solitary place by boat. However, due to Jesus’ popularity crowds followed him running by foot. When Jesus saw the crowds He had great compassion for them and healed the sick. When it began to get late Jesus’ disciples advised that Jesus send the people away since the nearby towns were far away. Jesus however responded that they did not need to be sent away and that the disciples should, in fact feed them.

“We only have here ONLY five loaves and two fish” (emphasis mine) was their response. But Jesus’ response was to take the loaves and fish, thank God, break them and then provide them to the people.

That day 5,000 men plus their wives and children were fed, and twelve basketfuls of extra food were collected.

So what was the difference between Jesus and his disciples?

Jesus said in John “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these” so it’s not that the disciples couldn't do it. It’s that the disciples were not aware of who God was. They were not thinking of how God is an all providing God or truths like this “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,” Ephesians 1:18.

I instantly felt the peace that passes all understanding as I reminded myself that I am in no way poor or lacking because I have a God who provides immensely.

As I thank God for his reminders, and his grace, I’ll be praying for you. I'll be asking that you, also, remember who you are, and who God is, and what he has called us all to.

Love Katie

P.S. For those of you who have been praying for my financial support, I am currently at 60% and asking God to provide 10% in the next 4 days. Praise God for his provision and thank you for all of your prayers. If you would like to give you can do so by clicking here.