Oh Ye of Little Faith...

Well, once again I am humbled. I had written the previous post last Friday morning, just sharing a little of my thought process. I knew that deep down in my heart we are called to NZ and that had God shown us that clearly. But in the midst of waiting and the not knowing I allowed my flesh and the enemy to sow seeds of doubt and worry. But God is greater than that and has once again showed Himself strong on our behalf.

That very same Friday afternoon, I get a call from the NZ consulate in Santa Monica / Los Angeles, saying that our visas are approved and ready for pickup! At first I wasn't sure that I heard correctly, so I asked the lady to repeat it. And then I still didn't believe it and asked her if that was what she really meant - that our visas are approved and ready. 'Yes', she said, 'you can pick them up.' 'Still not believing, I asked a fourth time - 'were there any problems with the applications? Do you have any other questions for us?' Again the same answer, 'no, your visas are approved. You can pick them up next week.' (You have to remember that this is about 2-3 weeks earlier than we had expected. In fact, this same lady had said back in December that it was very unlikely that we would get the visas before the middle to the end of Jan.) So I thanked her and hung up the phone, feeling excited but at the same time truly humbled.

The Lord had seen my lack of faith and had mildly rebuked me. Twice. Once as I wrote in the previous post. And now with this. It was as if He were saying to me - don't you know that I can get your visas approved with just a single word from My mouth? Don't you think I can provide for you with just a simple wave of My almighty hand?

Well, I was reading this morning in Matt 8 and in v23-27 is the account of the disciples in a boat crossing the lake and the storm hits them and how afraid they were. During this, Jesus is sleeping peacefully. So they wake him up, fearful that they were sinking. He wakes up, says to them, 'Why are you fearful, oh you of little faith?' Then He shows His power and sovereignty and rebukes the wind and waves and the storm subsides.

Boy I am sure the disciples were not only amazed as we read in v27, but also humbled. Well maybe all except Peter. ;-) They had doubted, had worried, had feared - but the Lord showed Himself strong on their behalf. And that is how I felt also after hanging up the phone. Amazed but also humbled. Yes, active faith is still a learning process...