Two queues, one for foreigners and one for returning residents, all with passports and visas in hand, lined the room at Kotoka International Airport. A rope barrier separated the area for ordinary travelers from the diplomatic entrance. The routine was second nature to me after having travelled to Ghana for several years. As I waited in line, a man kept tapping on the glass between passport control and the diplomatic lobby. He held up a sign with my name and signaled me to move to the diplomatic counter. “Someone is pulling a cruel joke on me”, I thought. He persisted until I finally stepped out of line and headed to where he was directing me, thinking with every step, “I’m going to be arrested.” Nervously, I handed my passport to the agent who stamped it, welcomed me to Ghana, and waved me on to the lounge bypassing customs and luggage check. The mystery man collected my baggage and lead me to a top-of-the-line SUV. Then he drove me to a huge compound where staff members escorted me to a five-star plus suite.
Later that night my travelling partner arrived from Washington and filled me in on the details of this trip. A wealthy Ghanaian businessman learned about our ministry and wanted to sponsor us. He owned numerous grocery stores and luxurious retreat centers all over the nation. He provided the SUV and assigned Kofi as our driver/care-taker/body guard for the next three weeks. He took care for our every need: accommodations, three meals daily, had our clothes laundered, kept up with all our belongings, etc. We travelled through dangerous areas but Kofi ensured our safety. When we crossed the border into Togo, we sat in the vehicle while he arranged the required paperwork in the customs office. The difficulties of travelling around these countries were no different than any time before—military and police check points, rough roads, danger from thieves, those who prey of foreigners, etc. But this time we had peace, no worries, or anxiety because someone had committed to totally care for us. When my trip ended, Kofi took me back to the diplomatic departure. The airport drove me to my plane in a limousine with important diplomats.
Ok, longer than normal opening but necessary to understand the life changing lesson the Holy Spirit taught me and wants you to experience. On my flight home I marveled and pondered on the provisions God supplied. Then I began thinking, “shouldn’t life be this way?” Believers have the wealthiest and most powerful Father in the universe. “Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it” (Deut. 10:14). The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts (Haggai 2:8). So what did you say you are worrying about?
Not only does God have the ability and resources to care for us, He wants to. Peter tells us to cast [literally, to hurl] all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1Pe 5:7). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses this in detail. He begins by telling the people not to even worry about the basic needs of life as food, drink, clothing, or what will happen tomorrow. “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing’ . . . for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things . . . So do not worry about tomorrow (Matt 6:31-34).
Beyond our physical, He cares for our spiritual needs. No sin, no failure, or any spiritual need is too great for His grace. He loves us so much, Jesus died on the cross for us. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God (1 Jn 3:1 NKJV). Faith grows, but our goal should be to let God take care for us as our Ghanaian businessman did for us.
Ask yourself, “Does the Lord have the ability and resources to care for me?” He wants to, so why are you not allowing Him? No, you don’t deserve it, but Jesus wants to give you His unmerited gift of grace. HH
Sustaining Word for the Week: Fill in the blank: “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will I eat, drink, wear, ____?____.