Philippians 4:6-7 “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

Be anxious for nothing; don’t worry about it, don’t wring your hands wondering if, when or how it will happen. But in everything by prayer and supplication;  a humble prayer. With thanksgiving; the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God. Let your requests; the act of asking for something to be given or done, especially as a favor or courtesy; solicitation or petition. Be made known to God; to have established or fixed in the mind or memory; to have knowledge or clear and certain perception, as of factor truth. And the peace of God; that word peace means completeness, wholeness, nothing missing or broken, which surpasses all understanding (that’s because the peace of God is so vast, we as humans cannot comprehend it completely). Will guard; to keep safe from harm or danger; protect; watch over, through Christ Jesus.

Wow, there is a whole lot more to that verse than meets the eye, right? This little portion of scripture tells us we don’t have to worry about anything. We ask in humility, giving thanks and acknowledging that he is faithful to watch over His word to be our provider in every sense of the word. And during the waiting time, you know, the time between the asking and the show up, the time when you’re tempted to give up, to quit, throw in the towel, when the pressures on you to speak what you feel instead of what you know are trying to push you to say, “I don’t understand why God didn’t hear me! I don’t understand why it takes so long! I don’t understand!” Yeah, that time. When you’re forced to stand on the limb thats being separated from the tree knowing that your God is well able to hold the limb on it’s own. THAT peace. THAT assurance. Knowing who God is and what he’s capable of.

For years I’ve spoken favor over my children and my grandchildren. I proclaim things over them that they’re not even aware of but things that God has ordered me to declare. Yesterday at work, a doctor who works in the next building came over to ask if I had any resume’s for receptionist because hers had just quit. I told her that my daughter had experience working in a doctors office and had in fact covered for me on occasion. I just happened to have her resume on my computer and quickly printed it out.  When she glanced at it, she noticed Shannon was from Michigan and mentioned she had attended M.S.U.. I responded that we too were from Michigan and that my children were born at Sparrow Hospital. Her children were born there too. As we chatted, we discovered that she lived in the subdivision I used to ride my bike in as a child. Small world, we agreed. 

An hour later she had her office manager contact Shannon and set up an interview for that evening. Last night Shannon called me to say that she got the job, got the money she wanted and starts this morning. For two years we’ve held fast to the promises of Gods provision but in the mean time, even though the pressures were overwhelming at times, she held fast to the confidence that God would take care of the details. In those two years, I’ve watched in wonder as she grew in her walk and confidence that God would provide. It wasn’t easy, it never is. You don’t just instantly trust someone, you must get to know them, walk with them, talk with them, do what they ask, be available, willing, watchful. 

Her journey has taken her from the unshaped, dark lump of coal the world saw, to the beautifully multifaceted diamond that God saw. There are many who are in this process; we have all been there or are in some part of that period of pressure, buffing and forming. It’s not easy, but its worth it. Who is God getting you ready to be and are you willing to stay in the game to the end, unwilling to quit in the middle of your mess. Are you willing? Are you ready? Will you give into the pressure and say I can’t do this anymore or will you wait a little bit longer. God wants you to be at the right place at the right time because he has big plans and you’re a small part of that big plan. He knows your end from the very beginning, allow his peace to protect his promise to you.