Eyes to See, Ears to Hear

Alexander the Great was once asked by one of his great generals if the great ruler would pay for the wedding of the general’s daughter. He said, “I’ve been a very faithful general, I don’t have much money, and my daughter is getting married.  Would you be willing to pay for her wedding?” Alexander agreed and sent the general to speak to the treasurer.
The general went to the treasurer and asked for an absolutely enormous sum of money far more than the amount for any wedding the treasurer had ever heard of. The treasurer asked the general to wait for a few moments while he went to discuss the money with Alexander.
The treasurer went to Alexander and exclaimed, “You are not going to believe the amount of money this general is requesting!” His expectation was his ruler would be furious and full of rage. Instead, Alexander had a big smile on his face and said to the treasurer, “Give it to him.” The treasurer replied, “Why?! Why?!” Alexander said, “Don’t you understand what a great honor this is? By asking me for this exorbitant sum, he shows he believes I am both rich and generous.”

Probably the most common characteristic of our preparation for lives as missionaries is the abundance and willingness of God. More than often, in BIG areas of our lives and without even asking, God has poured His wealth onto us.  Don’t confine the word wealth. His resources reach infinitely further than merely money.  I’m talking extensive detail here all the way down to the fire in our hearts.  Yes, that is definitely from Him.

I heard the above story this morning in a message by Timothy Keller.  It made me realize that God has done most of the really big things in our journey so far well before we even thought to ask about or for them.  What if we prayed in a sense of trying to keep up with Him?  I can’t imagine what He is waiting to unleash.  All that He has done and given to Dana and I has equipped us to really make an impact in the world around us in both Tanzania and in the States.  I wonder what it is going to be like when my stubborn self finally confidently treats my God as both rich and generous.