All of us have heard Gideon's story so many times that it feels like it’s memorized. But there are some stories in the Bible that we really should memorize and apply. The story of Gideon is one of those. If you think you already have it all figured out, you’re a long way from actually understanding.
We are all like Gideon in so many ways. God calls me mighty warrior and I look back over my shoulder to see who he is talking to! But that is the essence and nature of our loving heavenly Father. He calls into being things that are not. In myself, I AM NOT A MIGHTY WARRIOR! It’s not in my flesh to be brave and self-sacrificing.
I was stuck by the apostle Peter after Jesus died on the cross. Jesus had given every part of himself for his friends. And after it was all said and done Peter tells the boys, “Lets’ go back to fishing”. It stands to reason he had a boat stashed away “Just in Case things don’t work out”…. I could picture that boat there on the beach in Galilee maybe under a tarp or being rented out to others. Now there is nothing wrong with keeping our options open, as long as they are God ordained options. When we “stash boats” as a result of unbelief that God can provide, then we have a problem. We can say, “Lord I trust in you completely, and will only do what you call me to do”. It sounds pretty and makes us look cool in our prayer times. My challenge is to live up to that prayer.
So I have been evaluating my life lately as to what kind of “boats” I have stashed. Gideon had his stash of grain and Peter his boat. What do I have that God has not directed me to have? People look at our lives and often say we are a model of faith. We will celebrate 32 years of marriage in Missions this January. We have almost never known our income or had a salary. We have never had health insurance or retirement funds. Most of the time we live day to day, never knowing this months’ income. To some that sounds like great faith, to others real irresponsibility. But as a result, we can speak of God pulling through for us many times. Miracle after miracle of his provision is part of our life experience.
Yet even we have had boats stashed away. They appeared when God would prompt me to give much of what we had at the time to others and I would hesitate or try to ‘reason’ with God. At times I felt prompted to believe him for finances to take on some new challenge. I stalled to see if it would work out first. When I focused on my inabilities and knowledge instead of God’s infinite ability and knowledge to take on some challenge, I invariably failed the test.
I have come to understand that 90% of the battle for obeying God in our lives is right inside us! It is not in our lack of ability or physical resources that keeps us from obeying God! It’s in our lack of faith in the all-powerful arm of God to provide all things for us to have success against seemingly overwhelming odds.
Forbes did a survey of the 10,000 richest people in the world. They found that 94% of them were born poor! They were the ones who pushed past those physical limitations to reach their goal of wealth. Their conclusion was that the biggest obstacle to getting rich was first in believing you could do it! I’m not here to defend them. Probably many were not honest in their pursuit of riches. But the principle stands true for us in God. If we can get our eyes off ourselves and look to God, he will take what we have and multiply it. If we can get rid of our secret “boats on the beach”, and aim to please him, we will experience God on a higher level than ever before!
So what does your “boat” look like? Those things you have maybe because you don’t trust God to come through for you. Those “just in case” items that may even be standing in the way between you and God! Free yourself from them and trust completely in the one who gives you each breath. He is able to give life and take it. So why worry?
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19
I think I’m going to go give a boat away!
Peace, Mitch, Juliette, and Katrina Anderson
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