Give me Jesus

My friends, it's an understatement to say that God has been so good to me. This season of raising support to work with Cru full time has had its ups and downs. I kept telling the Lord and those around me that at the end of this process I wanted to be able to say, "even when... Yet, I will." You're probably thinking, "what does that mean?" I will explain, I promise. A book that surprised me recently was Habakkuk. It's not a book of the Bible I read frequently, but it hit me in a fresh way this summer.


Habakkuk 3:17-19 says, "Even though, the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights."


Ah! There is so much in this that has rang true over and over this summer. These are the main things the Lord has taught me:


1) God is good no matter what my circumstances are. His character doesn't change and he always gives good gifts. So if I'm waiting for weeks, not seeing any support come in, that is good of the Lord. Sometimes it's really hard to see it that way, but I know that he is working and he is completely trustworthy, even in a time of waiting.


2) Even though... even when... even if... No matter what my circumstances are I should rejoice in the Lord. Because what I said in #1 is true that means there is always cause to rejoice in the Lord. On top of all that he is "the God of my salvation." How often I forget the beautiful gifts of grace and mercy. That's enough for unshakable joy and constant celebration. 


3) Down in the notes of my study Bible it said something about Habakkuk that I want to be true of me: "Habakkuk's feelings were not controlled by the events around him but by faith in God's ability to give him strength." Whew! Wouldn't life be grand if we lived that way constantly? If I really believed what was true about God I think my feelings and actions would be much different. 


4) Finally, in these verses you get to see the real prize: Jesus. Habakkuk was joyful in the Lord even when the things around him weren't going so great. The prize, the treasure wasn't a plentiful harvest or abundant wealth. It was Jesus. So many times this summer I've been looking to the end goal of being at full support. I look at that as being this ultimate, awesome thing I strive towards. But why when the real prize is easily in reach do I grasp at mere rags?  This thought struck me all over again when at church we sang that wonderful song, "Give me Jesus." I included it below in case you've never heard it. Definitely take a listen. 


At the end of the summer no matter how much of my support comes in I want to say, "even when... Yet, I will." I want to rejoice in the God of my salvation. And I want to know, down to my core, that Jesus far surpasses any joy this world has to offer. Praying that we all will be able to say with a sincere heart, "give me Jesus" and be completely satisfied.

Remember how I said at the beginning God has been so good to me? Well this week he brought in $525 of monthly support. That's amazing! Please pray for me as I ask the Lord to provide $778 of monthly support by August 1st so I can be on campus full-time next year. I know he is beyond capable.