In the near future, I plan on putting up a post here about how God is moving strongly to get us out of debt. I will walk you through a time where we actually decided to finally do what it takes to get out of debt (and why we decided) and through a time where God definitely showed me He would always be our provider. I will even tell you the story of how God provided for a short-term mission trip faster than we could even begin to worry about his provision. It’s all good stuff.
But not today. Today, I want to share a simple thought. How many people out there are NOT doing what it takes to get out of debt because they KNOW God is calling them to the mission field. After all, if you’re in debt – you can’t go. Everybody knows there are not a lot of sending agencies out there that will take you on with debt, and everybody knows it would be sinful to just leave and default on your debts. Gotta do the Christian thing … right?
I believe this is where I was. Hiding behind my debt. I find in humorous that every time I tell someone we are working on getting out of debt, we get “Have you been through Ramsey’s Financial Peace University yet?” Kristie and I have been through it twice, we’ve been through and led a Crown Financial Ministry, and early in our marriage, we learned all the same stuff both of those teach through a Ron Blue ministry. The problem isn’t the knowing how to manage the finances. The problem is actually DOING it. So, yes, we have been through FPU. Thank you. :-)
Kristie and I have believed the time would come for us to go overseas as missionaries for many years now (about 16 or 17 years now.) And all the while, I knew our debt would hold us back. I never did anything about it though. Now, here we are and God is ready for us to go. It’s obvious because He’s doing some amazing things to get us debt free whether we want to be or not. We still have a ways to go, but He is our provider. His timing is perfect. It’s gonna be ok.
Until the later time when I tell you the story of our escape from debt …
Go with God,
Donald
I’m pretty sure people ask the question because Ramsey’s (and Crown’s) ministry has been so successful in taking people to a disciplined place with their resources. And it’s not like someone’s going to say “Dude, are you unable to figure out a realistic spending plan or are you just unwilling to say ‘no’ to yourself?” Hadn’t thought about a subconscious plan to sabotage possible missionary service. Interesting thought.
You make a good point. FPU and Crown are great tools for helping people with their finances. The do try to help you get to that disciplined life style. I guess my weird way of thinking brought me to the subconscious plan of sabotage.
But rather than sabotage, it’s probably more along the lines of just not being willing to live the disciplined life without considering the consequences of being held back when it seems it’s time to go.
Fortunately, we started living the disciplined life in May of 2010. So, we aren’t just now starting to work on our debt. But that’s part of the story I’m going to tell in a later post.
Go with God,
Donald