My good friend Gregg Stutts tried an experiment this year. He decided he would believe God for 30 days. I’ve interacted with him about his journey and he has greatly encouraged me in mine. Gregg said the experiment forced him to:
to clarify and honestly express what I believe. This wasn’t a time to sugar coat and put on a happy face. It was a time to get real with ourselves and each other about what we really believe about God. Is He big enough to handle our problems? Is He trustworthy? Is He good? What about when things don’t go as I’d hoped or prayed? Then what?
I’ll admit, there are days when I have trouble believing God for 30 minutes.
- I remind myself that God is “seldom early but never late.”
- I believe that God answers prayers in four ways: yes, no, wait, and “I’ve got something better.”
- I try not to be like the Israelites. God protects them from plagues, passes over them, and sets them free. They get a few miles outside of camp and start believing that Moses led them out of Egypt so they could die in the desert (Exodus 14).
I’ve been praying for a check since I submitted an insurance claim on October 17. I’ve whined to God and yelled at Him. Mostly, I’ve not believed that He’ll do anything about it.
I prayed this prayer with mustard salt faith—that’s when you have less than a mustard seed. This morning, I asked God, “Will you please deliver the check today? Would you please put it in the mailbox today?”
I walked to the mailbox with no anticipation. I grabbed a big stack out of the box and flipped through the envelopes on my way back inside. Bills. College mail for my daughter. Christmas ads. And an envelope I didn’t recognize.
I opened the bills and tried not to run my hands over my scalp too much. I’ve done it so often, I’ve rubbed the top of my head bald. I threw away some ads. And I set my daughter’s mail aside.
Then I opened the strange envelope. It was a letter from the insurance company. There was a different name on the envelope. I bet they’re a victim of the economic downturn.
There was no check. The letter explaining the delay and offered a new delivery date.
I threw the envelope on the table and walked three steps. I was on my way to the fridge to get another soft drink. Then it hit me.
God had answered my prayer.
God said, “Wait.”
God put the answer in the mailbox like I’d asked.
I stood in the middle of my kitchen, lifted my arms, and looked at the ceiling wishing the ceiling and roof would part so I could see the sky. I thanked God for His answer. I confessed my disbelief and asked for more faith. I marveled afresh at how “God is previous.” The letter was typed before Thanksgiving and postmarked Monday. It traveled from Pittsburgh to Nashville. Many people and machines handled the envelope. God was at work answering my prayer before I bowed my head to utter the request.
When I returned to the table, I looked at the envelopes my daughter’s mail came in. These weren’t college advertisements like the thousands she’s received this year. These were official looking.
When my daughter got home, my wife and I watched as Elisa opened the mail. Her first college acceptance arrived along with a HUGE scholarship offer.
God went postal today. Thank You, Lord.
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