I was writing a note to one of you today, encouraging you to work on your financial solution to coming to She Speaks. As I wrote I realized I had hit on yet another blog post about this idea of raising money to go to a conference you feel called to.
There are some of us who reason, "Well if God wanted me to go, He'd arrange it so I had the money in the bank to go. Since I don't He must not."
There are others of us who say, "Well, God didn't rain down money from heaven or have someone just give it to me so I guess it's just not meant to be."
As I thought about this a vision flashed in my head of a fish with a coin in it. I realized that this was the perfect illustration of what God sometimes requires of us when we have a desire or need. Sometimes God requires us to take the first step. Don't believe me? Go read Matthew 17:24-27. It's okay, I'll wait here while you do it.
Ok? You back? Jesus told Peter to go catch a fish and in the fish he would find a coin. Now He's Jesus. He could have produced the coin out of thin air-- sure He could. He could've closed His eyes and made the money appear in the pocket of the man who was asking them for it. Instead he sent Peter fishing. He got Peter involved in the solution. He required him to take action. And, after Peter made the effort He provided exactly what He needed.
Now I understand being truly short on money. With a husband out of work, I get it more than you know. But I also want to tell you not to take the attitude that just because you don't have a fat bank account or a scholarship doesn't mean you aren't meant to be at She Speaks. God might just tell you to go fishing. I can't wait to hear what you catch!
4 comments:
Oh wow, I guess I needed this. I thought I was done with this conference for this year but I suppose I have so much more to learn. I will do my best to see if this is what God has for me even if it is not through a scholarship.
Last fall, we were presented with the opportunity to adopt a 2-year-old boy in China. We had NO money in our adoption fund. Zero. We felt God leading us to pursue the adoption. It was very humbling and challenging, but we "went fishing".
My son is now tearing up the house as I type... :)
Awesome.
I love this line:
"He got Peter involved in the solution."
I REALLY needed this today. What's cool is that it pertains to so many things besides money! Like our health, our emotions, things we need healing over.
Great post :)
Have a lovely rest of the week!
Blessings,
Kate :)
Marybeth,
Thanks so much for your continued inspiration! It is a privilege to read your blog everyday. I hope to meet you at She Speaks.
Although I don't have a scholarship, yet, I am praying for God to show me where to cast my net.
Gone fishin',
http://shellysc.blogspot.com/
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