You've Got What You Need

  I want to share with your a brief snippet from one of my favorite books, The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson, and I hope that if you haven't read this book you will get yourself a copy and read it ASAP. There are so many amazing truths in this book, but they are conveyed in such a down to earth way, and every time I read it I gain more perspective.  But here's the thought I want to share with you today.   To set the scene for you, the main character, Ordinary has left his home in Familiar and set out in pursuit of his Dream.  However, he finds himself wandering across a seemingly endless Wasteland for days on end, and his resources slowly dwindle to nothing.  One morning, he wakes up to find a person sitting near him.  Her name is Faith.  Here's where the conversation takes place.
 

          "'My name is Faith,' she said.  'The Dream Giver sent me to help you.'
            'But it's too late!' cried Ordinary.  'My Dream is dead.  When I needed the Dream Giver most,             he was nowhere in sight'
            'What do you need that you haven't received?'  asked Faith.
            'Well, if it weren't for the few springs of water I found,' answered Ordinary, 'I'd be dead of                    thirst by now!'
             'Yes? And?' she asked.
             'If it weren't for the fruit I found, I'd be a walking skeleton!' he replied."

       (The Dream Giver;  Chapter Four, Ordinary Enters the Wasteland by Bruce Wilkinson)

  Now, Ordinary feels he has been slighted because he did not have an abundant supply of food and water as he thought he should, but what Ordinary failed to realize is that he had exactly what he needed, exactly when he needed it so that he could continue his journey and not perish of hunger and thirst.  We may find it funny reading this little caption, because it is apparent that Ordinary has missed the truth of the matter, that the Dream Giver was providing for him all along and helping him walk through his trials.  However, I think often times we miss these same signs in our own life.  We tend to be like Ordinary and feel God has abandoned us when things don't go the way we think they should.  When the promotion is taking too long, or the illness seems it won't go away, or our family troubles seem as if they are only getting worse, we need to take a step back and realize that God is still there with us in the midst of our trials, and if we will let Him, He will use our obstacles to make us even stronger and prepare us for bigger blessings than we could have even imagined. If you are in the Wasteland right now, take comfort.  God knows exactly where you are, and He has perfect timing and provision.  Take a step of Faith today, and start to look at your obstacles as opportunities.  We may not always understand our struggles, but God knows what we need and when we need it, and He will always come through for us.  Don't miss your blessings because you're too busy complaining about your situation.  I'm praying that no matter what phase of your journey you are on that you walk through it with boldness, determination, and a heaping of gratitude backed by faith.  I'm out here with you.  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.W.