Greetings from the Business Office!
But ask the animals, and they will teach you.
(Job 12:7 NIV)
Winter in Minnesota is long – and cold! Temperatures at our Minneapolis headquarters dipped to -16°F (-27°C) in January, and those farther north and west of us experienced even colder weather. Heating bills suddenly and drastically increased. My office flooded, and the plumber just told me it was due to frozen pipes. Blizzard conditions are closing portions of our interstate highways even today in late February.
However cold, Minnesota winters make for some picturesque scenes that truly do display God’s glory: we sometimes wonder if that is the only good thing to come from the season! Yet, as I look to God’s creation, I notice that we humans seem to be the only ones that complain about the winter. The trees do not complain, nor do the animals.
As recently as my lunch break, I saw a squirrel in front of the office licking the snow so it could quench its thirst, for God provides for not just us, but for all of his creation. Minutes later, a dog and its owner were walking by when the dog insisted on playing and rolling in the snow. When it shook the snow off so it looked like the owner would be able to resume the walk, the dog decided that it hadn’t had enough fun and kept rolling in the snow, appearing to have the time of its life.
The animals do not complain, but they adapt to the environment that God has provided and thus give glory to God. They teach me, even as Job reminded Zophar that they would! If the lowly animals do not complain about the weather, then who am I to complain? I can simply look to them and follow their lead, giving glory to God for his creation (all of it!) and all that he has provided for me.
God has provided for the Prayer League, too, graciously meeting our monthly needs. All workers received 100% of their monthly allowances this past month.
Thank you for your prayers and support – and to God be the glory!
GOD’S PROVISION – January 2022
| ALLOWANCE: Designated Support: | $53,023 |
| General Support: | $30,522 |
| BENEFITS: Designated Support: | $82,809 |
| Donations to Benefits Fund: | $75 |
| Number of full-time worker units: | 36 |
| Minimum allowance provided: | 100% |