When God Shows Up: Real Stories of Faithಮಾದರಿ

Ava*

"...On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, 'This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.'" Exodus 19:1-6, NLT

Three months after the Israelites left Egypt, God offered them a promise—if they promised to obey God and His covenant, they would be God’s “treasured possession.” The people chose to follow the Lord. They consecrated themselves. The Lord descended on Mount Sinai. This seemed like the beginning of a new chapter for the Israelites, and indeed, it was. But it was also followed by years in the desert, many more grumblings, battles, meals of manna, and pillars of smoke and fire.

The timing of God’s promises rarely looks like ours. In our days of streaming television, drive-through restaurants, and handheld search engines, we wait much less than people used to. We can apply the instant gratification we find in entertainment, food, and curiosity to our faith and become frustrated with the slow process of growth.

Ava’s childhood was unsafe. She was first noticed by child protective services when she and her brother were knocking on neighbors’ doors to ask for food. Her adolescence was marked by cruelty. She suffered abuse and rejection. When she was matched with a small group of mentors, she didn’t value herself or her life much at all.

Ava’s relationship with her mentors has lasted years, much longer than their initial commitment. They’ve seen her through heartache and pain. But they’ve also seen her become a mother herself. They’ve seen her get to the point where she can honestly say, “I love myself.” And they’ve seen her chart a different future for herself and her daughter.

Pain, relationships, people; none of these are a quick fix. But when we commit to God, we know that we are on a journey to the promised land, even if the timeline is beyond our understanding.

Meditate on the timeline of God. How can the provision He’s provided in the past offer you peace in the “desert” you face today?

*Name changed to protect privacy