Core Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Message: I opened my heart to God one morning last week.  Do you ever do the same?  Just expose your heart and get all the junk out?  I was a bit frustrated.  Job application after job application, and no interviews?  Not a single one?  I cried out to God for help! 

These were desperate times!  I mean, my last paycheck was coming on the 31.  Nothing lined up and church camp coming from July 26 to July 29.  Something had to happen.  My team had to rally!

I was reminded of the Kansas City Royals 2015 playoff run.  They were down 6-2 in the 8^th inning to the Astros in the ALDS.  Mike Moustakas began yelling in the dugout, pumping up the team for a rally.  The Royals erupted for five runs in the 8^th and two more in the 9^th to win 9-6.  They took the World Series a few weeks later.

See the rally here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBItLLh6ilY&t=153s

I was Mike Moustakas.  Asking God for that rally.  And guess what?  God listened, and God began to move.

Immediately.

One phone call led to an interview for a backup plan.  That led to another interview on Friday afternoon with the same company.  Another call came in Thursday morning for a part time teaching job at a local Christian school.  Then, almost laughably, God provided another phone call from the Osawatomie School District on Friday morning. 

God rallied!  He kept that line moving.  And it led to me accepting a 6^th Grade English teaching job in Osawatomie Tuesday morning.  They called me on my drive home to offer me the job.  Praise the Lord!

In reflection, were there some moments of doubt?  Sure.  One night my 12-year-old son came in and expressed his worry.  My wife supported me by job searching and sending me links to apply for.  All of it was Satan’s reminder to me that I still didn’t have anything lined up.  My faith began to waver.

The author of Hebrews defines faith immaculately here: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1).  When you focus your heart on the reality of hope, it changes everything.  This is a conscious choice. 

I powered through with a lot of self-talk and scripture reading.  When my stomach twisted in knots Tuesday morning before my interview, I pulled out scripture cards, reading through them.  Slowly.  Applying them to my life.  Meditating on each one.  The worry began to lessen. 

And then there was the music.  Oh, the music!  I sang all the way out to Osawatomie, a good half hour in the car.  God was speaking to me through all the K-Love songs, and I laughed as over half the songs’ lyrics spoke directly to my worries.  My favorite one, Mercy Me’s “To Not Worship You” is highlighted below. 

My boys and I read the story of Jesus walking on water the other day.  Peter struggled with worry.  Jesus called him out of the boat onto the sea, and when the wind and waves overwhelmed him, there was Jesus extending a hand to pull him out.

“Why did you doubt?” Jesus asked (Matthew 14:31). 

I feel Him asking me that same question now.  Like Peter, the pressures of the world were caving in on me, but there He was.  Jesus, pulling me out of the chaos.  Jesus, once again coming through.

I don’t know where you are at, but if you are in a state of worry, reflect on the times in your life when God pulled you through.  Times like my story above. Jesus’ hand is reaching out.

Will you accept it?

Challenge: Think back on the numerous times in your life when God came through.  Write those moments down.  Share the stories with others.  Be a beacon of hope, not only to yourself but to others.

Scripture study: Read Matthew 14:22-33 and journal or discuss the following questions …

• Where was Peter’s faith at the beginning of the passage?
• When did his faith begin to waver?
• Do you think his faith in Jesus was different at the end?
• What did he learn from the experience, and how can we do the same?

Song application: Mercy Me “To Not Worship You”

I’m losing sight of all that matters
Blinded by questions I can’t answer
I’m paralyzed by what I don’t know
That holds me hostage and won’t let go

Breathe out, breathe in
Raise my hands and remember

You’re the one, You’re the one
Who makes mountains move
Stars will not shine
Unless You tell them to, tell them to
Conquered the grave
To make all things new
So, who am I, who am I
To not worship You

Prayer points: Lift up the following areas to the Lord …

• Praise God that He came through AGAIN, providing me with work. 
• Pray for teachers like me transitioning to new buildings and new positions. 
• Pray that we can all savor time with friends and loved ones while summer is still here.

Just for fun: I just realized I have reached the point of no return.  After teaching 6^th graders all day long, I will be coming home to parent a 6^th and 7^th grader at home.  Yikes!  It is a good thing God made some of us to actually thrive with middle schoolers!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for never forsaking us and for always coming though in the clutch.  Amen.