One day I saw a group of tiny ant hills built up on the side of the path like a miniature ancient cave dwelling. I stopped and looked down at it near the toe of my shoe and couldn’t help but wonder how long the thing would last. One bike tire, one ill-placed running shoe, one curious child and all of that intricate work would return to sand. And in less than one millisecond, God’s ants would be working again to rebuild the vision that He had imprinted inside of them.
Could I say the same about myself? No. Oh, there would be groaning and gnashing of teeth. I would need a week or three months or two years to work up the willingness and confidence to start again…pick up the grain of sand…so heavy…and find my humility. How could I be expected to respond in faith when my life could coming crashing down again, just like that fateful storm with the flooding rains?
God doesn’t ask me to mind the particulars. He doesn’t say, “Be loving if you’re sure others will be loving back.” He doesn’t ask me to give to the poor as long as I’m sure they will invest it wisely or help my neighbor bring in her groceries while negotiating that she’ll do the same for me next week. God is worthy of my trust and obedience. He cares for me, loves me beyond my wildest imagination and requires of me an obedience that will bring a harvest—exactly the one He provides.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
Meeting God at the Park 