When the Transmission Goes Out on Your New Van

Funny how that happens. You attend a Bible study all fall about giving anxiety to God, and being content with your portion. You see passages on anxiety and God’s love all over the Bible, and you are overwhelmed with a deep peace. You study the book of John and for the first time ever, Jesus the compassionate jumps off the pages, and it is if he were washing your feet. You even go on to teach a retreat of high school girls about resting in the peace of God, and casting your cares on him.

Funny how that happens. You plan and save, and make as informed of a decision as you possibly can. You put 2000 miles on your new-to-you van, and the transmission starts to slip. You know that means money you don’t have.

So you wrestle and try to stop nibbling your lip while remembering the Jesus bent, washing your feet. And there is a battle for your mind and your heart and your allegiance. And there is anger and there are questions that make it nearly impossible for the healing water to wash away the dirt of that day. And there is the verse written and placed by the window sink a few days prior,
   
    “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)

How do you dwell in the shelter of God when you can’t stop dwelling on your need? A new transmission, a baby six weeks away from arrival, nursing school fees to be paid, and regular bills.

But there is that invitation in Matthew 11:28,

    “Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.”

How do you dwell in his shelter?

First just come (even if you were just there with the same burden two minutes ago).

Then remember that he cares for you, regardless of how you feel. List his faithfulness of the past to you and to others. Psalm 91:4 says that God’s faithfulness is a protective barrier between you and everything uncertain and certain headed your way.
Isaiah 41:10 says that you don’t have to be afraid because your God will give you the strength and the courage to meet all that is coming because he is your ally who will not let go.

Finally, throw those burdens on God (again), and he will give you rest, and you will dwell in his shelter.

Funny how that happens. A question and an honest answer between two members of the body of Christ on a Sunday morning. Then there is a check written to lift some weight of the transmission bill. God’s faithfulness.

Funny how that happens. A Monday morning with burdens once cast away, now weighing heavily down upon your shoulders again. A child complaining of his ear hurting. You take a light and shine it in the tiny dark passage and see a blue tube surrounded by wax. A blue tube you would otherwise not be able to see fall out because of how small it is. A blue tube that has prevented ear infections for over two years. A blue tube that you could not afford, and yet your heavenly parent provided every cent needed plus more. A blue tube visible. Today. On the day you think you might be losing the battle. God’s faithfulness.

Funny how that happens. You attend a Bible study all fall about giving anxiety to God, and being content with your portion. You see passages on anxiety and God’s love all over the Bible, and you are overwhelmed with a deep peace. You study the book of John and for the first time ever, Jesus the compassionate jumps off the pages, and it is if he were washing your feet. You even go on to teach a retreat of high school girls about resting in the peace of God, and casting your cares on him.
For the last eight months you have been equipped for this battle. God’s faithfulness.

I can rest with a thankful heart.

And when I start to nibble my lip and crumble under the weight of the burden I stubbornly and absentmindedly take back up, I will come again and again and again until I am back in the shelter and the arms of my Abba.