Let Go of Unbelief and Let God

I went to church yesterday with our family and I thought, "I hope there is a message that speaks to me, today." The pastor continued on with something he had been preaching on the week before and I followed along. Soon though, I had to get out my bulletin and start jotting down notes and shortly after that I had to get another scrap of paper because my bulletin was all filled in. It was so pertinent to where we are now!

Things I got were:

"When you do the will of God you will receive what He has promised."

A portion of a prayer that he prayed was: "Allow the tethers of unbelief to be broken so we may move forward with what you have for us."

This is a *big* one for me. I too often think: there are so many hurdles! And just this week I have struggled a little bit with thinking of the potential problems that could stop us.

The pastor talked of pregnancy and conception and how many women 'know' when they conceived. They just 'know'. He likened this to the fact that some people know when God has planted a seed.

There are only three times that I can remember when I *knew* when God had planted a seed. Once was when we were to make the move from the coast to here, eight years ago. That could have been considered a ludicrous decision. Selling our house, putting everything in storage, and the thrill of heading 'out' - just like the pioneers - to the big country and looking at land in any area until we felt it was the 'right' place to be. And then having to trust that we could begin our business there and survive. Four children - one 5 weeks old! Nuts!

But God was there every step of the way. I *knew* the seed was planted before there was any evidence that we *were* moving. But as I looked back, in hindsight, I could *see* the trail. It was so clearly illuminated. The path in front was not. We knew we were moving because the evidence showed us this - but to where? and to do what? we didn't know these things. But we knew that God would show us 'feeling' by 'feeling' as we went. And He did. Each time we took a step of faith, He gave us the next 'indicator' or opened the next obvious door or closed a door and then when we looked around we saw the window open and so we climbed through - and there before us was the path illuminated a few more feet. And on we went - step by step.

A year ago, when we moved from the country to the town it was the same thing. I had said I would *never* move from there. It was 11 acres of heaven in the country with dirt roads and awesome neighbours and the 'right' lifestyle. My husband though was getting tired of the long drive (40 minutes) to town everyday (on dirt roads!) and I know he would have moved if I agreed.

My husband and I won a trip to Toronto. At the last minute I missed out on it because the kids got sick. We were all devastated. It felt like a real loss. He and one son went and the rest of us lost out. *But* what felt like a loss quickly was shown to be God at work. He *needed* to get me alone to get my attention. Within hours of being alone I got the 'feeling' I should get the house appraised. The following day the children and I went and looked at pieces of property.

Within two weeks of my husband arriving home our house was on the market. Two months later (over the Christmas season) we sold our house - way above price! God is good. When He calls and you *trust* - you will be rewarded. It was a good move and we see the results.

The third seed that was planted was the decision to adopt a child from Africa. That seed was so evident. If you 'look' you can always see the path behind you (of 'coincidences' etc) and it is *exciting* to see that a God that is big enough to create our world cares enough about *me* or you, to want to walk us towards something that is so important to us!

Just step out when you feel the call to do something. Even if it feels irrational and risky. And the biggest one of all - what will people think??? How can we possibly believe we will get a child from Africa? There are so many hurdles. So many reasons not to believe. We will look 'stupid' if it fails. And that is unbelief. Therefore I will believe, no matter what people might think!

He spoke of this and said something to the tune of:

Don't worry about your reputation. God may just take it away for a while.

And a few final words that really spoke to me:

Prayer: "..... that we would believe. Help our unbelief. Don't let me worry that I am going to look stupid or a liar...."

This is me worrying that: "What if it doesn't happen. I'll look like a real idiot for believing so firmly."

"You do not always see results right away. You are fighting a fight of faith."

"Satan will continue to beat you down. You must believe in order to receive!"

This was so amazing to me because that is a personal message to me this week!!! I *so* believe but it does not stop the enemy from popping little thoughts into my head about things that could be considered problems.

And his final message was:

"Let go of unbelief and let God."

I will BELIEVE!!!

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8