It's All About Trust

So here we are, my first blog post since getting back from an amazing mission trip to Swaziland Africa; my first since becoming morning host of the 21st Century Radio Show at Christian 107.3 FM.... So, I figured it was about time to get blogging again! It's been on my mind for awhile, and I thought it was finally time to share it with you: It's all about trust. Complete trust through Jesus Christ in our Father God.

That's a pretty broad subject, so, what's to trust? Well, those who know me might remember that it wasn't so long ago that I had a fear of (getting sick while) flying. Not so much a fear of flying in general as much as literally getting motion/air sick while doing so. I have had to battle motion sickness since I was a child. Back seats of cars? Forget it. Sick. Roller coasters and rides at theme parks? Forget it. Sick. I'm the guy standing with lady's purses, everyone's cameras and the kids too small to ride the rides. (Maybe that's how my interest in taking photos and vids started). Even riding in the front passenger seat with (certain) drivers - sick. It starts with a bit of dizziness, then the loss of anything not attached inside my tummy. Sick. And it takes me at least 24 hours to fully recover. Me and dizzy don't mix well.

As a result of this battle with motion sickness, I've held back from participating in many promising activities that included any form of travel that didn't include my driving. Some might say it's 'a control thing'; it's 'all in my head', because I don't get sick IF I drive... well, perhaps. But it's a real problem and anyone who suffers from motion sickness can vouch that it's not a problem you want to have to deal with, especially when it can be avoided.

In 2010, I was offered the opportunity to travel to Dominican Republic with a group of about 30 people with Mission of Mercy - bound for a mission trip. It was one of those opportunities that one just can't say no to. I mean, I could have said no - but something about this mission trip captured my heart to the point where I couldn't imagine not going. So many things happened leading up to the opportunity, that I couldn't explain any valid reason not to go - I truly believed (and believe) it was a 'God thing' - He wanted me to go - and there was no way I was saying no.

So, off I went...first leg of the flight from Raleigh NC to Miami Fla - about 2 hours 45 minutes -- then, Miami Fla to Santiago, Dominican Republic - another 2 hours 45 minutes. I got sick three times on the way to Miami (yeh, the kind of sick where I needed a few of the bags that are kindly found in the pockets of the seats in front of you aboard airplanes)... I got sick another three times from Miami to Santiago. During our layover in Miami, the team decided to take a group photo and post it online for friends and family members to see. My wife didn't see me in the photo; I was passed out, lying down on the floor recovering from my first few bouts of air sickness - and had no idea I had three more bouts of severe sickness ahead of me.

Enough 'sick' stuff? Get the picture? Ok... fast forward to the trip home from Dominican Republic to North Carolina. My team members decided to pray over me before we left. My room mate reminded me to take motion sickness pills a little before the flights, and again while boarding the flights. I didn't get sick one time the whole way home. The power of prayer. Not to mention the incredible memories I'll always have because of being able to take part of a mission trip.

It's important to point out here, too, that while on my first mission trip, I discovered an area of my heart that I never knew existed before going... a heart for missions. I had decided that, even if it meant getting sick again (and again and again) - if I ever got the opportunity to go on another mission trip, I would go without hesitation. I experienced God and worship in such a way that it literally changed my life. More on that later.

So, it's late 2010, several of the team members from the DomRep trip were talking about going to Swaziland Africa, October of 2011. I immediately started praying for God's approval (or disapproval) to go. Long story short; I was able to go. With the generosity of prayer and financial support from friends, family members, my church and a few clients - I was able to raise enough money to meet the payment deadlines for the trip. Now, with months of waiting for October to arrive - the worry of my potentially having to deal with spells of motion sickness began to surface. On more than a few occasions, worry had me thinking of actually canceling my going along.

This is where a few close friends from the first trip to DomRep started reminding me of prayer. (Had I not gone of the first trip, I wouldn't have had met these wonderful people - the blessings around this stuff are countless!) They reminded me of how God took care of me on the way home. They reminded me of how much the trip would be worth going even if it meant getting sick. In all honesty, this took a bit of time to finally sink in. But it finally did. And this is the point of my message - It's all about trust.

I finally made the conscious decision to believe in the power of prayer - rather than just throwing up a few prayers, all beginning with the word "if" ... "if" it's your will that I don't get sick - "if" you'd be kind enough to not let me get sick, etc.. No... I actually prayed that God release me from the anxiety of even thinking about getting sick. I even prayed that I would actually enjoy the 16 hour, one-way, flight! It wasn't just about my not getting sick - I didn't want to be a liability in any way for the team - hunched over in a corner recovering - while they were busy loving on children, feeding them, worshiping with them and the missionaries... Praise God! I ended up actually enjoying the flights. All of them. Even the four hour, one-way, bus ride from Johannesburg to Swaziland. No sickness at all. God is AWESOME.

He answered the prayers of my friends, family, church family, team mates - He answered my prayers. Did I 'know' that God would make sure I didn't get sick? Absolutely not. BUT... I trusted Him anyway. It didn't matter what His answer was going to be. He had already blessed me with necessary funds to go (not everyone who wanted to go was able to). I trusted Him completely. I went with no expectations. I went with an open heart and mind to serve Him and those around me with my faith in God leading every step of the way. As a result, I now have no fear of going anywhere on the planet. I have a confidence that comes from being able to realize the difference in God's plans versus mine; and the willingness to follow through.

I wrote this because I wanted anyone who reads this to know that God loves each and everyone of us. He has plans for each and everyone of us. He, and He alone, is WORTHY of our complete trust. God hears our prayers. He created us in HIS image. We don't have to wonder if He hears our prayers. We don't have to doubt that He will answer them. A dear friend shared this with me and as I wrap this up - I'll share it with you...

God will answer your prayers by saying: Yes (immediately). Yes (but not right now). Yes (but not in the way you expect). Or, He'll tell you No - because He loves you too much to tell you yes.
Praise God. Ask Him your questions. Share with Him your thoughts, your worries, your concerns. He's listening. He has an answer for you - It's all about trust.