Welcome to Day 3. Listen to the audio above and you follow the text below😊. Don’t forget to leave a comment.

Life, at times, can feel like an endless obstacle course. Just when you think you have overcome your greatest hurdle, a new obstacle appears demanding even more from you. This was certainly the story of my life in 2009.

Early in 2009, I finally got to apply for a course in Audio Engineering. I’d be lying if I said that this was my life’s dream. The truth is, I fell in love with the idea of becoming and audio engineer during the two years I was out of school (2007 – 2008). All the experimenting I had done with recording music in my bedroom had ignited in a me a passion for something. 

This moment was important to me because, I was finally taking a solid step forward. You see, at that time, all my friends were either graduating or completing their final year of campus. Applying for this course gave me the glimmer of hope that had been missing for such a long time.

After I got accepted into the school, there was a mini party in my head. But before I could really lean into the celebration, I was quickly awaked to just how many more applications I needed to successfully complete. First, my parents would have to accept and commit to sending me to this school. Then, in order to get the student Visa for Australia, I needed to complete and pass an English Test, a medical exam, and provide evidence that I had all the financial support needed for the entire duration of my studying. 

As you can probably imagine, the next couple of months were loaded with waves of anxiety as I jumped through the hurdles of the obstacle course in front me.

Fast forward to November 2009. Yes, it took the whole year to get to the finish line. After completing all that had been required of me, the Australian Embassy in Nairobi sent me an email saying, “Your application for a Student Visa has been accepted.” I quickly got onto the next bus to Nairobi, expecting to return with my visa. I was ready to step into the new world of Hope.

After I got to Nairobi, the first thing I did was to find the nearest Internet cafe so I could check my email one last time and confirm that all of this was really happening. When I got there, I found a new email from the Embassy. This email wasn’t exciting to read at all. 

This is the email I found; 

Dear Nelson   

I have been revieweing your application. Note that you are required to show funds available of AUD 62 237. Currently your application shows funds available of only AUD 10 927 which are not sufficient. Please note that you must provide a bank statement dated between 06/May/2009 – 06/Aug/2009 where the lowest amount shown on those statements is AUD 62 237.  If these funds are not available it is acceptable for funds from a loan to be provided. 

Alas, I had come face to face with an immovable obstacle. That email drained out of me every ounce of hope I had gathered. I forwarded that email to my dad with complete resignation. I was preparing to return to the bleak world I had become accustomed to. I didn’t even know how I was going to navigate needing to explain to everyone why I didn’t get a Visa. I could feel weight of shame pilling up again.

But suddenly and very unexpectedly, I got a call form my dad. His voice sounded confident and completely unshaken by this email. It was like he knew something I didn’t know. He spoke with the confidence of one who had a solution to this seemingly impossible dilemma. And indeed, he had one.

Just one week before I got this devastating email, my father’s loan application had matured and had been deposited onto his account. It was loan that amounted to well over the required amount. Alas, the giant in front of me had been defeated and hope was restored. And the rest is history.

I’m reminded of that moment in scripture after the people of Israel had been delivered from slavery in Egypt. While they were camped by the Red Sea, Pharaoh and his armies were attacking from the back. In front of them was a giant obstacle… the red sea. Their past came pursuing them from the back and a giant obstacle stood in front of them.

As unrest grew among the people of Israel, Moses answered the people saying, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

Dear friends, in this life, you will always come face to face with smilingly impossible situations. Giant obstacles that seem to hold you in place as the fear, shame and failures of your past come to assault you. But do not be afraid. God will fight for you. God isn’t surprised or intimidated by the giants we face. No. God uses these moments to remind us of just how awesome He is and how committed he is to keeping His promises.

When walking in obedience to God brings you face to face with the giants of this life, open your heart and be very expectant. God is about to do something spectacular. His hope will raise in you and his promise to you is peace that surpasses understanding.

So don’t be afraid. Follow God and let him stretch you into the greater world he has prepared for you.

Prayer

Good and gracious Father

You are truly mighty. 

There is nothing impossible for you

Show us your strength

As we follow your leadership

Give us the strength and courage we need

To face the giants along the way

Knowing that You are strong

And able to get us where you have called us to

In Jesus name we pray

Amen

Scriptures

Habakkuk 2:3-4

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness

Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong