Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Belief

This morning I was told by a 5 year old that God wasn't real and neither was Jesus for that matter. Now, I've been in ministry for 10 years and, without a doubt, I've prayed with...encouraged...and taught many along the way. I've learned that you never really know when "ministry" happens. Even in all your preparation, planning, scheming, and dreaming....you just never know when God will use you...we just have to be ready. We have quite a blessed family...7 kids in all. They range in ages from 16 down to 18 months. On good days I can recall birth dates and ages (and even my anniversary if I try real hard). Our youngest ones have been saturated in Christian living since birth...as long as they can remember. It's been a lifestyle for them...church, AWANA, and they are even blessed to attend a Christian school. Most mornings I have the honor of driving my daughter and my son to school. We have a blast on this 15 minute trip! Usually singing praise songs (lately they've been begging for Tomlin's "sing, sing, sing"). We rock it out...just our little 3-man air band. This morning, between songs, Corban (my 5 year old) makes his big announcement (that God wasn't real)...and my response is just as important for me to remember as it is for him.

I loved watching the smile on his face as I responded to the crisis of belief in his little mind. He didn't even need to respond, it was a big "amen!". I said, "Corban....if God isn't real then: who made the sun rise this morning, can any person do that? And who hung the stars in place, could any of us ball up stars in our hands and toss them up to the sky? And what about the air we are breathing, who gave us that? And where does love come from, can we make that? And why would we sing to Him every morning?". Bless her heart, my 8 year old daughter chimes in with the rhetorical question...."yeah, and who heals us?" His grin confirmed his error and was proof of his re-affirmed belief.

So, I guess God addresses the doubts in my little mind the same way this morning. He says, "Ron...am I really able to be the giver and sustainer of your whole life? And will you trust Me with every part of your life...even the parts you don't think you need My help with? And am I able to provide your every need even in a troubled economy? And am I able to heal the hopeless around you? And, by the way, where does hope come from anyhow, who created it? And am I able to humble kings and kingdoms for My sake? And who can over-throw the proud and raise up the humble? And who fills the hungry and ushers in justice? And who brings mercy to generation upon generation?And....and....and......" This morning I feel a little like Job and utter similar sentiments..."Lord, I know that you can do all things, and no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who am I to worry...or doubt....or question? You are sovereign and you supply our every need. We have heard of You but, because of Your work in our lives, we can now see Your love and provision. I repent in dust and ashes."

After my declaration of truth in the car, we went on to the next song in our set and I have to tell you, our little 3-man air-band sang "sing, sing, sing" with more belief than ever.....

He's worthy of everything we have...it's all His.

2 comments:

Fierce Messenger (Proverbs 17:11, YLT) said...

Hello Ron, I am new to your site, and I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate you sharing this story with us. I recently added myself to your newsletter, and I look forward to learning more about your ministry. I, myself, am a Native to America, and I come from the tribe just a little south of where you are, on the Gila River Reservation. Most people know us as the "Pima Indians," but (if you don't already know) we are actually the Akimel O’odhom people, which translates into, the River People. I think that is so great that we can look to all of creation to understand and witness that there is a God, and that it is as relevant to do so, as it is to open up textbooks and study. I think our culture today is lacking an appreciation for God's creation, and it is encouraging to know that God is using you in your family in such simple, but profound ways. Your daughters comment on healing almost brought me to tears. Thanks again for the blog, and I look forward to running into you some time in the near future. By the way, keep rockin' on that air guitar, and I am sure you guys will be a solid band one day! Blessings to you and yours.

Unknown said...

Hey Christopher! Great hearing from you and thanks so much for reading our news and my blog and your kind comments! I am a little familiar with your tribe and area but I've never spent much time at all there. Pray you are having an amazing new year. I look forward to hearing again from you sometime in the future! ~Ron Everingham, Apache Youth Ministries