By Melody Vanosdol
God is always faithful. I’m still working on it.
I’m in the Florida Keys on vacation with friends as I write this. I can’t begin to afford a vacation like this as a single teacher, but my generous friends are wealthy and love me. They share their fun with me quite often. They are a blessing.
Today we boated out to a tiny place called Picnic Island. I’ve been there several times. But this time I was terrified to climb down the boat ladder! Terrified!
I currently have three wounds on my left leg. All three have been acquired doing simple things: carrying wood, removing a piece of a car from the road, and getting into the back of a truck to retrieve diving gear. It’s not like any of these tasks were taxing, but all of them turned out to be painful and continue to be.
Honestly, I am so completely covered in mosquito bites, running around this tiny mangrove island had no appeal to me. (Mosquitoes are thick in mangroves.) So, I opted to stay in the boat.
It was hot. The wind was still.
On a giant rocking float (the boat), sitting on the very western edge of the Atlantic, I was finally alone with God. I began to pray. I began with something to the effect of, “Father, I just want to spend some time with you. I want to know what you want.” (I have felt lost and overwhelmed a lot lately.)
As soon as I started praying, a warm, strong breeze began blowing. It felt like it was blowing from all directions. It completely enveloped me. I talked some. I listened some. But mostly, I just “felt.” I tell you truly, I was not alone at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if none of the other boaters experienced this “breeze.” It lasted the entire time I was praying and no longer.
Life has been difficult lately. Satan has been trying to stop me and busy me. But God is always there. He is always ready. He is always providing.
If Satan can’t have you, he will try to make you ineffective for God’s Kingdom. One of his best weapons is to make you too busy. He will even use what looks like God’s work to make you too busy! He knows all the tricks! After all, he has been practicing since the beginning of time. You’ve only had a few decades at best.
Spend time with God. Spend time in his Word, even if it’s listening in your car.
Trust God. Trust is faith.
God is always faithful. I’m still working on it.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it’ (1 Corinthians 10:13).
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