Ever hear something so clearly you couldn’t deny it? I was out one day when I heard it. When I completed a task and the experience ended, I heard God speak so clearly that it couldn’t be missed. Have you ever heard God speak to you so clearly that you knew He was talking to you? That day I heard it. God said, “I told you!”
Losing Major Income
Recently, I was let go by a private equity firm. They’d completely flipped the culture of the company where I worked as a faith-based business coach. The “faith-based” part seemed to have no place anymore. Over the past year, a dozen or more of us were let go — myself included, just recently.
In the interim, as I am leaning into God for next steps, I decided to create some income to help pay the bills. So what did I do? I became an Uber driver! It seemed pretty simple. And as Carmen and I are building our outreach through Chateau Mariposa, it seemed easy and, best of all, flexible.
The Battle Within
When waiting for God’s next steps, spiritual warfare can feel relentless. For that matter, even without waiting for direction, spiritual battles rage on!
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
These battles take many forms. And one of the biggest battlefields is the mind. Some common thoughts people wrestle with during seasons like mine include:
- Where is God in the midst of what I am going through without a job?
- “God, do you hear me?”
- “What if God doesn’t come through for me?”
- Even people of deep faith sometimes fear being left without help or resources.
- “Does God really care about my needs?”
- Some feel guilty asking God for practical or financial provision, believing He’s only concerned with “big spiritual things.”
- “I have to take care of myself.”
- Trusting God can feel risky, especially for those who’ve learned self-sufficiency out of necessity or past hurt.
- “Maybe I’m not good enough for God to bless me.”
- Guilt or shame can whisper that we’re disqualified from God’s care.
- “Others have found work, why haven’t I ?”
- We often compare our faith, our sin, our relationship with God, and our self-sufficiency with others.
- “God is testing me, so I shouldn’t expect help.”
- Some fear that asking God for provision might mean they’re failing a spiritual test of endurance.
- “God’s timing is too slow. Why is He cutting this to the last minute?”
- Waiting for provision can feel excruciating, leading to doubt or taking matters into one’s own hands.
- “What if I misunderstood what God promised?”
- People wonder if they misheard God, especially when circumstances get hard.
- “I’m afraid of losing what I have.”
- Even those who trust God sometimes fear He’ll ask them to give up something.
- “Trusting God feels impractical.”
- It’s easy to think that trusting God and being responsible are in conflict, rather than working together.
Maybe you have your own thoughts and battles different from those above. Care to share? If so, share in the comments below.
My Uber Experience
So far, only two days in, my Uber driving experience has been good and interesting. I’ve given rides to people from all walks of life, from young adults to a delightful 94-year-old. Some passengers are quiet, and others are quite talkative.
But let me tell you about one ride that left an impression.
The Ride with John
As I was on my way to a home base destination, I got ‘pinged.’ This indicates that someone is looking for a ride, and it is ready for me to accept the ride as a driver. So I quickly accepted and was on my way.
As I drove past what I thought might be the pickup spot, the GPS guided me onward. The paved road turned to dirt, and then to something that barely qualified as a road. I found myself on a sandy, one-lane path. It was more like a sandy ditch than a street or road.
Another car came toward me, and we both pulled halfway into the ditch to squeeze past one another. Thankfully, I hadn’t gotten stuck yet.
Once clear, amid the woods on this sandy road, I came up to what looked like a cul-de-sac of abandoned trailers. I also noted several inoperable vehicles. At this point, I was looking around for anyone, and any signs, that someone was around and waiting for my arrival for a ride.
Through the app, I sent a quick text: “I have arrived.” Just then, I noticed someone approaching from behind my car. I rolled down the window.
“John?” I asked.
“Ya,” he replied and climbed into the back seat. I told him I wasn’t sure where to pick him up at and he said he could tell because he was watching me.
The first thing I noticed was his mouthful of gold teeth. As he settled in, he started telling me about his morning.
John’s Story
“Thanks for the ride,” John said. “You’re the third driver I’ve tried. The other two never showed up.”
I wasn’t surprised. Once drivers saw the woods, the abandoned trailers, and the sandy road, I’m sure they canceled and made a quick U-turn.
John continued, “They told me they were here, but no one came out. But I know better. I’ve got two cameras at the entrance to this one-lane road.”
I silently thought he probably had good reason to keep cameras there.
Then he added, “Today is probably going to get even worse!”
I took the bait. “Why’s that?”
“Well, the day started with some punk throwing a cinder block through my trailer window — right on top of my chest while I was sleeping. All over a girl I don’t even care about — he can have her! There’s more where she came from.”
(And yes, John’s language was pretty colorful — I’ll spare you the details.)
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to come back and kill me. I’m surprised he hasn’t already,” John said.
Pause For A Story Break
Just in case you are wondering. Yes, I pray everywhere I go. I acknowledge and recognize Jesus with me. I walk in the shadow of His wing, and He is my strong tower. Note scripture for this by clicking on Psalm 91.
Back to the Story
“You know, John, it sounds like angels were watching over you,” I said. It was at this point that a switch was flipped within John, and his demeanor completely changed.
He responded, “I spent years in prison. My dad was a Latin King in Jersey, and I was raised to be a gangbanger. I had no choice. Now I speak to groups of young people about my experience. If I can just make a difference for one kid…”
“It sounds like God is using your past and your time in prison to have an impact and help others,” I encouraged. “And you’re right, even if you change one young person’s life, it’s worth it.”
Then I encouraged, “John, it sounds like our ride together is a moment God planned, just so He could remind you of what He still has in store for you.”
As the ride came to an end, John replied, “Thanks for reminding me that God is in this. If He can use me to change just one life, it’s worth it. Thanks for picking me up!” And with that, he was gone.
Unpacking the Ride
Wow… what just happened?
Earlier that day, I’d picked up sweet Rosa, a grateful 94-year-old who was a joy to talk with. Then there was Lois, who’d just had her hip X-rayed after a fall. I promised to pray for her, and she was very thankful.
Then along came John.
When the ride ended and John hopped out, I sat alone for a moment of solitude with God. Here’s how it went:
“God, thank You for John and for giving me the words during our conversation.”
Unpacking the Ride
Then God said,
“I told you.”
“I told you I would provide for you. Whether it’s driving people from point A to point B, or whether it’s your next steps with work and providing for your wife, Chateau Mariposa, and everything else I’ve entrusted to you. I will provide.
I protected that ride for you by causing those other two drivers not to show up. Just as I know I can trust you, I want you to know you can trust Me.”
The funny thing is, I never hesitated to turn down that one-lane road. I didn’t have any bad feelings, didn’t pause to wonder if it was safe. It wasn’t like I forced myself to go despite fear. It was simply… another ride. That was God’s peace all over the situation, and all over me, so deeply that not a single anxious thought crossed my mind.
1 John 4:18 (NIV)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…
Perfect love truly casts out fear, whether it’s in a ride like my experience with John or in trusting God for the next income stream. There is no fear in (perfect) love!
Have you ever seen God show up in unexpected places, like in a car ride? Or have you felt spiritual battles while waiting on God’s provision? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below.
Challenge of the Week
Trust God. Easy enough, right? After all, He did create the universe. He feeds the birds. He clothes the Lillies. His name is Provider…and much more. You have not because you ask not. What do you need to trust Him for this week? Ask and see what He will do. So be it.
