By Brenda Groves
The Post Newspaper Contributing Writer
Several weeks ago, we were quite busy moving into our new home. We are just across town from our old house, so we were able to make dashes back and forth.
I recall one morning when I decided to grab breakfast at a fast food place along the way. I seldom eat fast food these days, so it has been awhile since I purchased breakfast at a drive- thru.
Well, I placed my order and was more than a little surprised at the increase in prices compared to the last time I bought this item.
Of course, I understand about rising costs these days, yet I was still amazed that it had gone up that much for a little breakfast sandwich. As I moved through the line I remember mumbling, “That is just way too high.”
But when I pulled up to the window I was met with the wonderful news that the person in front of me had already paid for my meal.
Instantly, my whole demeanor changed.
Well, praise the Lord! How nice of them. Thank you Jesus!
Then I excitedly told the employee at the window, “Well, I want to pay for the person behind me!”
When I I learned they had only purchased coffee for a couple of dollars, I was a bit disappointed as I wanted to repay the favor shown to me. My impulse was to run to the vehicle behind me and tell them they could order more if they wanted. LOL!
My heart was so grateful for the kind gesture coming from a complete stranger, so I just wanted to bless someone else big.
I drove off singing a praise song and soon I was back to my unpacking, sorting and arranging our new home.
The meal deal was put aside in my mind, until early one morning last week when I was praying (speaking in tongues) to the Lord one morning when the Holy Spirit reminded me of that event.
I smiled as I thought about how put off I was at first about the cost, but then the kindness of the Lord took that away and gratitude replaced my disappointment.
Just then, I heard the Lord speaking to my heart, “Now Brenda, what if you had known that your meal had been paid for at the time you placed the order? What kind of difference would that have made in your attitude?”
I laughed,”Well Lord, I would have been rejoicing all the way through the line instead of complaining. That’s for sure!”
Right then the Holy Spirit said, “This is exactly how My children should be walking out their faith in this world. In My Kingdom there is no lack. I have already provided every provision you will ever need.”
I knew exactly what He meant and these verses in Matthew 6:25-34 started rising up in my heart.
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith.
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”
Now, please understand that I am not trying to imply that we can/should order God to provide for our needs, or that we should see Him as only there to provide us with things of this earth.
But as any good parent, He has made preparation for our needs here in this life.
The Lord used this analogy of my drive thru experience in relation to His mercy, love, kindness and grace.
What if the employee had told me when I placed my order that it had been paid for so just get what you want? Of course I would not have taken advantage of the generosity of the person in front of me as I didn’t know their financial situation.
But God, on the other hand, has no lack in His kingdom, and Jesus told us in Matthew 6:10, “His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
And in Luke 12:32 He tells us,”Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
The fact is, we need things here on this earth.
The truth is, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HAS blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ …”
He provides in every area of our lives, from physical needs to knowing spiritual truths that His Holy Spirit can reveal to us. If you keep reading in Ephesians, it goes on to talk about His saving grace, His mercy in providing salvation through the blood of His own dear Son. But keep going and there is a prayer that the eyes of our understanding would be enlightened to know the inheritance “in the saints” (born again children of God), and His power that works toward us who believe. In truth, it is the same power used when He raised Jesus from the dead.
This, brother and sisters, is what is available to us now. But first we have to know, and understand, and believe.
Imagine again if I had known my meal was not only provided up ahead, but paid for in full, how joyful I would have been all the way through the line.
And notice how when I did find out that it was paid for, instantly that knowledge reproduced a generous heart to give to others.
When you pray “whatever things you ask when you pray believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24
Again, I am not trying to insinuate that God is somehow like a fast food drive thru, rather it gives Him good pleasure to provide for His flock.
The Lord showed me that in the Christian walk with the Him here, our hearts can remain joyful through our journey on the earth (going thru the drive thru), because we know Him, and when we pray (put in our request), we can be assured that our prayer was heard and all the provisions for it were supplied before we ever had the need.
“For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Matt: 6-8
I really am glad for short drive thru lines (when I see fast answers to my prayers).
But sometimes, the lines can be so loooong (when it seems it is taking long time to see the manifestation of our prayers, but there can be spiritual warfare going on behind the scenes delaying our prayers from getting answered, and, also, God works through people, they/we can slow the process).
There is so much I could say about all the Lord is showing me about this, but I have to end it here for now.
Bottom line: a relationship with the Lord is everything, to know Him now in this life, and to be able to spend eternity praising Him, loving Him, and in awe of His majesty.
And as a good Father, His word is Him speaking to us, we see His promises that all of our needs have been met, we put in our request, then we go forward knowing we already have it, with joyful, generous hearts towards others.
Because our Heavenly Father is a generous Giver, He gave us His Son, He gave all.
“God is love.” 1 John 4:8
Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
