|
For those of us who are Called, the path to discipleship means only one thing: following the Master’s footsteps, at any cost and through any road! We thus spend our whole lives learning to freely choose Christ over self. While the latter works for its own glory, Christ will teach us the way of humility in which He Himself walked and thus pleased the heavenly Father (See Philippians 2:6-11).
A few years after we moved to the United States on a temporary job visa, the Lord opened a way for our immigration in this country. According to His promise, He stirred the hearts of my husband’s employer to apply for our permanent residence AKA Green Card. This is not a novelty for most people but for us it was an unprecedented path, full of twists and turns. He was thus leading us down the road of adventure where we had to hold fast to the knowledge of who God is and live a life entirely dependent on Him.
The application process is quite extensive and even though it began in a timely fashion, ended up going beyond the limited time allocated on the work visa my husband was on. This meant only one thing: he would be placed on unpaid leave till all the required immigration papers arrived. We knew upfront that we were in it for the long haul and many anxious thoughts began to take root. Though I could continue my employment at the time, could it sustain a family of five for months on end?
Although I have known His mighty ways in the past, I did not want to go into this dark valley. Like Elijah standing before the drying brook of Cherith (See 1 Kings 17:7), I wondered about the possibility of our dwindling resources, all the while our heavenly Father was calling us into a life full of reliance on His faithfulness. We poured ourselves into His Word and His promises to sustain became real to us and our faith revived in the waiting.
Every day became joyful as we learnt experientially how rewarding such a life can be. Free from calculations, plannings and refusing to be anxious about tomorrow because the sufficiency of God is ours in Christ Jesus. He took good care of us and our little ones from within and without. We experienced no lack because His Word says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ” (Philippians 4:19 ESV). Every time there was an additional need that year, the provision came in an unexpected way. At the end of 15 months, He restored my husband back to his employment but the greatest miracle to me is that t we didn’t come out this season "singed" but with a greater view of who God is.
Many times, God puts His children through challenging situations in life that they may have a full appreciation of His abundance. For the Lord says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV). Total abandonment to God’s will is radical yet spiritually edifying. He calls us to lose in order to gain. The way down is the way up. The least are the greatest. We are part of this upside-down kingdom, which only in the light of Eternity will appear the right side up! Are we ready to walk the narrow road always? With His help we can, because where God guides, He provides (See Isaiah 58:11).
Nisha Ajit George
|
