God is Sovereign.
What a heavy-duty statement!
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sworn this oath: “‘It will all happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided.’” -Isaiah 14:24
God’s Sovereignty points to the fact that He knows the length of our trials, the reason for our waiting, and the outcome to our circumstances.
God’s Sovereignty also points to the fact that He knows what He’s doing! My human logic and limited view of the future does not compare at all to God’s All-Knowing character…but I often try to squeeze Him into my way of thinking.
I try to fit Him into my many boxes too like the “It Makes Sense This Way” box or the “It Would be Faster If…” box. And the recent one He didn’t fit into was “The Visa Process Should Work Out the Way I Planned It” box!
As many of you know, I have been compiling my required documents for the visa interview with the Spanish Consulate. I had finally received the important documents from Spain that are allowing me to request a religious visa. All I need is my interview appointment with the Consulate that should occur before some of my paperwork expires in August. Well, the next available appointment is not until September! When I found out, I nervously prayed, “Lord, my paperwork expires in August so when I refresh the appointment website page, can you please open an appointment in July or August? I really don’t want to wait until September.” For the next three weeks after that prayer, I have refreshed that page at random times during the day hoping and praying that God would open a date.
Is the Lord able to work a miracle and open an interview date before August? Of course He can!
Can the Lord make a way when there seems to be no way? Yes, nothing is impossible for Him!
I know for certain He is a God of miracles but I also know for certain that He cares for the condition of my heart.
His Sovereignty reminds me to surrender.
My logistical plans are not the ones that need to be aligned to God’s will, it’s my heart that needs to be aligned to His will. I am quick to strive for the answers to the when, how, and the ever so popular, “Lord is this your will?” But it’s truly a matter of the heart. So I whole-heartedly surrendered and accepted the visa appointment in September.
Let me STOP right here…. I wrote the above BEFORE THE MIRACLE!
A few days after I wrote everything you just read, I received an email from the Spanish Consulate on July 3rd letting me know that I was granted an emergency visa appointment with them for Monday, July 8th!!!
I had 4 days (3 days really because of 4thof July) to get everything I needed for the appointment. Since my heart was at peace with the September date, I left some things undone. But God, in the way only He is able to work, allowed me to get everything done in 3 days and I was able to present all my paperwork to the Consulate on July 8th!
Now it’s a matter of waiting for an email that states whether or not I received the visa. Payers please!!
God’s sovereignty amazes me! Not only did the Lord open up a visa appointment for me, but He is also allowing me to go to Spain for one week in August! I received an unexpected phone call from Pastor Raf in Spain, letting me know of an important planning meeting we will have for the school we are praying to begin. Everyone involved in the school, including myself, will be there. More on this one week trip to Spain in the next newsletter!!
I can’t thank you enough for being on this journey with me!! If I have ever needed prayer and support it is definitely now!! This journey has been quite interesting to say the least, but it has been a huge blessing!! It’s never too late to partner with me in Spain. Contact me and I can share ways that you can be part of this team!
God bless,
Zully
Prayer Requests:
- For God’s will over the visa approval.
- Strength in the midst of the spiritual warfare.
- For the Lord to continue to provide in all areas.
- For the August meeting in Spain.