“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps”
– Proverbs 16:9
On Monday, May 10th, 2010, Louise and I (Dale Varberg) joined the staff prayer meeting in the map room at headquarters. The WMPL staff meets there each day for prayer at 10:00 a.m. Chuck commented on the verse above with these words, “We do and must make plans. In fact good planning is very important. But we must always know that it is God who determines the final outcome.” Then we prayed. We reminisced, grieved and rejoiced over the home-going of long-time WMPL missionary Fran Swenson. We prayed for a sister mission organization, YWAM, that is facing a financial challenge. Pat reported that two groups had recently used our mission home for special events. We asked the Lord to guide the Directorate in the important decisions it will make at an upcoming meeting. We celebrated the recent conversion of a friend of one of the pray-ers around the circle.
Two things drew my attention especially. There had been a plumbing problem over the weekend at the carriage house – but there was no complaining. And I noticed that there was not mention – and no complaining – regarding that fact that two-thirds of the missionary staff have received 65 percent of their target allowance for three months in a row. Many of these missionaries serve as home staff.
All in all, it was pretty typical of so many WMPL meetings – good fellowship, concern for the whole world, rejoicing in reports of God’s blessing. We pray, we plan, we pray some more, and then we trust God. We believe that he takes our plans, sorts out the good, blows away the chaff, and blesses the result. It sounds so simple, so WMPL-like, so un-American, and so biblical.
As you may know, I serve as the League’s treasurer. As treasurer, I sometimes wonder about finances and numbers. I wonder if God is pleased that the balance in our General Fund is zero at the end of the month. I wonder if God would be pleased that our missionaries received full support most of the time. I wonder if giving will go down over the summer months, as it sometimes does – or if our supporters will pray and respond. I wonder how God will show himself faithful.
Just wondering…
By: Dale Varberg, Treasurer