Better than birds

True confessions here: I can be a pretty lousy believer.

Which really is a problem because “believing” is the most important thing that believers are called to do! I’m not sure which it is: do I not believe God’s promises – or do I have trouble believing they apply to me?

Jesus wasn’t kidding when he chided his followers for failing to trust that the Father who cares for the birds and the flowers would meet their needs as well. We’re trying to remember that here in Brussels where we’re experiencing unprecedented faith challenges – many of them financial, to be honest – but are also seeing God provide in extraordinary ways.

Consider the following instances of needs met this week:
• We’ve needed a letter of invitation to Belgium in order to get our residence permits. This week we met with a leader of one of the ministries with which we’ve been corresponding and they agreed! The pastor who will be helping us is the recognized expert in Brussels on such matters.
• We have prayed for opportunities to reach employees of the European Institutions in Brussels. This week we met organizers of the European Prayer Breakfast, godly leaders who are sharing Christ by building networks of relationships and are willing to mentor us.
• We have talked about our desire to serve the needy in the community, including Muslims and refugees. This week we spent an afternoon with Hammed and Leila, Iranian refugees who have an incredible story to tell of a treacherous journey from Iran to Belgium and a miraculous journey from Islam to Christ. They’re involved in outreach to Muslims and will take me with them this Friday to help.
• We’ve felt like creative and artistic expression needed to be a part of our ministry here and we had lunch this week with a family who works with Creative Arts Europe and suggested ideas and resources.
• We’ve been interested in reaching out to university students and have also considered a café, and have talked this week with the leaders of a university ministry who have the same idea. They have also had interns working with them and are happy to share their experience with us regarding housing, permits, and other issues. We’re going to help them this week with a university outreach to new students.
• I still have a few assignments to finish for courses in my second Masters degree and needed to do some research. I found out about a seminary in Brussels and met a professor this week who gave me permission to use their library. While on campus, I met the seminary president (who is also from Norfolk!) who suggested that some of their students could help us in church planting as a part of their studies.

Amazing, huh? How many lilies and sparrows are getting that kind of attention from our Father?! He does love us, doesn’t He?!