Some of you know that my luggage was
lost en-route my recent mission trip to Asia. When I got there, I was
frustrated. For the first two days I was anxious and tried everything I could to
locate my prodigal suitcase but to no avail!
After multiple attempts dealing with
the airlines I was dangerously close to losing my temper as I’ve done many
times before. But I’ve been growing. I heard the small voice of the Holy Spirit
saying, “I’ve brought you here to touch
thousands of lives are you going to let a lost suitcase sidetrack your purpose?”
I was ashamed of myself. I stopped calling the airline and went on to touch
over five thousand lives for our Lord.
After several weeks, my time on the
mission field came to an end and I had survived with one shirt and a pair of
jeans. I borrowed clothes once. Yes, I did wash my clothes at night.
After forty days, I got a call from a
stranger. He said, “This is Mr. Jose from
Mexico City, Mexico. I’m from the American Airlines. We saw your phone number
on the suitcase. We have your lost baggage and we want to return it to you.”
(I flew with another airline to Asia). Somehow my luggage ended up in Mexico.
In a couple of days I picked up my suitcase. A few electronic items were
missing. So I reported that immediately. The same day, when I looked at my mail
a check was waiting to recover all the missing items plus more. When I tried to
refund the excess amount they said, “Just
keep the whole check for the trouble that was caused due to this incident.”
When I started to ponder on this whole
episode, I couldn’t help but think of God’s goodness. Life doesn’t always play
out as we want to but in the midst of our chaos God is always working. You may
have problems that is insurmountable; dreams that are impossible. But let me
tell you this, when we are patient and faithful toward our God, He will reward
you double for your trouble. That sickness that has plagued you for years will
be healed instantly. Your legal problem will be resolved in your favor with
penalty and interest. You’ll qualify and move into your dream house. The
mission trip you’ve been praying for will suddenly be funded. Friend, you may
not see it coming but God is working behind the scenes. Stay in faith. He’s putting
on the right connections and he’s lining up the right people.
Here’s my challenge for you today.
Just because it’s taking a long time, don’t pull out your seed of faith. The more
intense the pressure and the battle the sweeter and greater your victory will
be.
Stay in faith! Faith is thanking God for tomorrow’s victory while you’re still
fighting today’s battle. One thing you can do in the heat of the battle is
to get your mind off the fight. The more you need the situation to change the
less you’ve to look at your adversity. A farmer doesn’t plant a seed and then
come back every day saying, “When are
going to produce fruit? When am I going to eat of my labor?” No. A farmer has
quite confidence that the seed is planted to produce. He goes his merry way,
doing his due diligence waiting for the right season to harvest. The Word of
God is the seed. Let’s stand on His promises. Let’s be patient and wait for the
right time. When we do, God will reward us double for our trouble.
“Come home, hope-filled prisoners! This very day I’m
declaring a double bonus—everything you lost returned twice-over” (Zechariah 9:12 The Message)!
What are your thoughts?
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