Black Monsters

“What are these big black things floating in the water?” asked Charlie, a volunteer from the States. “Man, they are all over the place.”

“Jellyfish,” replied one of the Filipino ladies about to be baptized.

“Do they sting?” someone asked.

“Yes, but they won’t kill you.”

Hmmm, such consolation.

Meanwhile, the youngest baptismal candidate, a small 10 year old girl, was picking them up by the head, avoiding the underlying tentacles, and tossing them a safe distance away. Obviously, she’d grown up around the ocean.

Another was using her flip-flop and batting the ugly creatures out of the way. I, Moses, was asking God to do something about clearing the water. It didn’t work. The jellyfish seemed just as curious about the baptism as the bystanders on the beach. All wanted a close-up view.

Finally, I could delay no longer. If Daniel could trust God to close the mouth of lions, I would have to trust the same God to keep these black monsters from showing how weak my prayer life is. Gathering the five new believers, I baptized them, rather quickly, expecting God’s judgment to sting me from behind at any moment.

But no sting came. While the group sang, “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go”, I made a quick retreat out of the water and to the safety of higher ground. With a new appreciation for man-made baptistries, I congratulated each one, then gathered with them for a group picture. Despite natures threats, it is a joy to see new believers decide to obey Jesus no matter what He commands, even wading into murky, fish-infested waters.

I guess trusting God is still something this veteran missionary needs to work on. When David returned to work after Christmas, he was given a months notice that his job would soon be terminated. A victim of our economic times, David was still the newest in his department and the decreasing work volume could do without him.

I worried. What would David do? Where would he go? How long would he be among the ranks of the unemployed? Lord, you know David’s good moral character and his gentle spirit. Did something get passed you? Why is he loosing his job? I guess if I was in the boat with the disciples on that stormy night, I would be the first to wake Jesus up and shout, “Lord help us! We are all perishing!”

David updated his resume and posted it on the internet. A few nights later, Jonathan was banging on my door at midnight, waking me up, saying that David was on Skype and wanted to talk to me. “Dad, I need your advice on which job offer to take. I can’t believe how many people are contacting me.”

So, last week, David began his new job at CACI, a Washington D.C. area company that employees about 14,000 people who work on computer software applications mainly for the Department of Defense and Homeland Security. The building he works in is very close to where he lives, so no need to move to another location. His salary is higher, and best of all, he will work on the latest computer languages and technologies that will better equip him for future jobs, if ever he needs to look again.

But I’m also reminded that trusting God doesn’t mean we will always get the job, or never be stung. In fact, those of nobler faith often do get stung, loose their security, are slapped with adversity, maybe even nailed to a cross. Trusting God means that outward circumstances are no longer the gauge of the presence of a loving God who died for me. But trusting God is a decision I make, regardless of my circumstances, simply because He is worthy.

Thank you, Lord, for being patient with me.