Faith in the Daily Things
Friday’s lunchtime conversation elicited a wide range of emotions from deep within me. The topic: missionaries earning more income in the field than in the States. Discussion centered on the concept that some missionaries utilize this higher income to maintain a certain standard of living, thereby preventing themselves from helping the economically disadvantaged people they entered the field to serve.
The sense of justice in me cried out, “This is wrong!” Then one person gently reminded me that not all missionaries do this. The vast majority live on a shoestring. Later, another person pointed out there are reasons a missionary might need to preserve a particular standard of living. Perhaps the missionary has a family and children. These children need the ability to re-adjust to life and culture in the States when they return. Possibly the missionary is trying to reach an audience who holds that standard of living.
Whatever the case, I readily jumped to conclusions, judging the book by its cover. The truth is the conversation brought back childhood memories and dreams of becoming a missionary as an adult. I felt nagged by my perceived failure. “How could I have gotten so terribly off track,” I reflected.
Before long Proverbs 20:24 came to mind, “Man’s steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?” Then it dawned on me: it’s not up to me to determine or understand where my path will take me. God knows and that’s enough.
God did not reveal His entire plan to Abraham when He called him to leave his homeland. The Amplified Bible says Abraham “did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go” (Hebrews 11:8). He simply obeyed God’s call in faith. Like Abraham, I don’t need to trouble myself with the details, I just need to faithfully obey in the daily things God puts before me.
So how can I put this into action? The answer is as near as reading the familiar passage, Proverbs 3:5-7:
5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.
Who’s to say I’m not right where God put me? Sometimes I realize if God gave me His whole plan up front I just might disobey Him. Not knowing the details often is a blessing. I merely need faith enough to lock the door behind me each day and start walking. Then God can bring His power into my life and direct my path.
