Mezhiisevi Mark Ziitso
Cold winter was becoming fresh warn spring. But still a cold night, it was. Neither the tongue nor the stomach whined at the dinner. After the drooling dinner; my brothers in their adolescent turbulence and ignorance were fighting over the remote for the best channel, apparently they had their own best channel; my mom after doing the dishes came and sat near my turbulent brothers; warned them to keep their calm or the worst will happen, what else will that be?Shut down the TV and go for a grumbling but nothing happening on TV night. The lucky brother grinned at the other brothers because it was his channel and nobody could dare touch the remote again. My other brothers frowned in grouse but were wise enough to know the cliché, something is better than nothing.
The hard earned calm came in the room. My Mom gave me the look, that look where I could read clear as crystal on her wrinkles, “tell me something, Son.” She deserved some update in real because Mark Zukercberg was in high school then. I was away from home in school for my exams for a few months. I came home that night. Rumor had it that, she wanted to know about my exams and about my future medical studies. I’d always wanted to be a medical surgeon, so did my parents. My Dad even promised he will sell our plot, coveted by every sensible human being and greedy human beasts. With the royalties of the plot, he will send me for medical studies. That promised was humble and a sheer motivation.
My Mom kept the look and had no plans to squint until her son spoke. I, her son, was brainstormed with anxiety and curiosity. In her twinkling eyes I saw my thoughts, “What will she say? May be it will be too hard for her to handle? Can I tell her some other day, but there is no time...” I loved her and to keep her worried is not even the last thing on my mind, that’s why the galaxies of queries before I spoke. I had the breaking news that can break the heart of my Dad and rocked the universe of my Mom.
Come hell or high waters, I felt she should know the truth. But I didn’t think this truth will set her free. As one and two more wrinkles visited her forehead, I knew it was time for the revelation. I directly looked at her eyes and said, “I am going to study theology in Bangalore.” There I went; it was a blunt blow on the face. Not the best mode to tell an anxious Mom. “God is going to provide my needs,” I added. Her first reaction was intriguing; she lean forward, open her mouth as though to speak but no words came out of her mouth. I can read on her face, her thoughts went deep. I can bet with my life that her first thought was how she will handle her husband, my Dad when he hears the news. Predictably, he will beas mad as a wet hen and as furious as a hungry angry lion. My Dad only and only wants me to be a medical doctor and moreover he deems theological students are losers.
Tears swelled in her eyes and flooded her cheeks. Her heart skipped many beats, her lungs forgot to inhale, and the lump in her throat didn’t allow her to utter a word. My guilt took me for a ride as I realized I was blunt and adamant when I told her the news that changed my life. *Sorry Mom.*She didn’t say a word but kept what she heard in her heart. We called it a night. As we went to our rooms, we both knew prayer and provision from God is the only solution. There was nothing to talk about. She didn’t inform me but I knew from that night on heaven was filled with her plea for my provision. A prayerful mom, she was, is and will be.
God made it clear in my heart and through my mentors that I was to study in Bangalore. The financial expenses were far away beyond my ability. My not so proud Dad washesitant to support. God was my only option. I prayed to God day in and day out. I started living praying without ceasing. At breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, supper when I said grace I implored heaven to provide my needs. Every time I got on my knees I pleaded for provision.
“If it is your true will for me to study your word, provide my need,” was my challenge. “You are the One True Living God and all things are possible with you, provide my need,” was my never ceasing plea. I went for a 7 days fast for my studies and especially for my provision. I prayed all prayers those 7 days. I cried, I laughed, I doubted, I believed, I panicked, I hoped during the fast. Amid the sea of emotions deep deep down in my heart of hearts there was a still small voice, “He will provide.”
On the morning of the 7th day of fast, my phone buzzed as I was praying. I saw the caller was one of my prayer partners, a lady. She inquired about the fast. I told her the little this and the little that. In the converse, she said she saw a dream. She saw two of her friends discussing to support me. I didn’t see that coming. I didn’t expect it to be that way. I was envisioning in my eye of faith that God will speak to an acclaimed contractor or businessman about my need. She told to pray about it. I thought to myself that it was just a dream.
To my amazement the next day, my prayer partner confirmed that the two ladiesshe saw in her dream were ready to support me. I went head over heels praising the Lord. I was rendered speechless when my partner told me the story. After her dream, she went and approached the two ladies. To her astonishment, both of them told her similar stories. They both felt that God was speaking to them about supporting a theological student. They were silently looking for a candidate to support. They decided to support me together and they did for my undergraduate studies. Praise the Lord.
During my whole time of prayer for provision, God zoomed this passage to my eyes, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Phi 4:19). The Philippian church sent gifts to Paul, which was where Paul prayed this prayer for them. Many Christians misuse this passage while praying for provision. One must take note that this was in the context of giving. The Philippian church gave to Paul and Paul prayed for them. It was give and receive, many wants to receive but forgets giving.
I gave my life and my career to God and God provided my need. Someone rightly said, “Where God leads, God provides.” I gave my life and I followed my call and God was faithful to keep His part of the deal. Today when I have to live in scrimp and scratch, my hope never dies. God provides and He will provide.
All to say, whatever your need, be it financial, spiritual, emotional or anything. I believe and I’m persuaded beyond a shadow of doubt, God can and will surely provide your need and needs. All you need to do is to give what God wants from you, may be it is your heart. Give to God and follow His leading. Dare to trust Him and He won’t dare to let you down. God will surely provide your needs. Trust God for provision.
