No Phone, No Food, No Problem

Sometimes I hear people say principles of the Bible are outdated and thus discounted as impractical; oftentimes that makes me want to test it. Theology alone is not enough; we must work out our salvation in faith.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” Philippians 2:12-13

Our time in India was ‘open’, meaning we didn’t have a specific ministry host for the month. As my team and I leaned into fervent prayer, we were challenged to live with radical faith that the Father would provide for our needs. We were encouraged to go out and risk for the sake of the Kingdom, to put our faith on display where things would only work out when He shows up. We gave up comfort, knowing the Comforter had us in the palm of His hand. We were emboldened to discover what this heart posture would look like during our time in New Delhi.

In Luke 10, Jesus sends out the disciples in pairs with a command to:

“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road” (Luke 10:3-4)

The disciples’ faith was radical; their certainty in His provision was like a flood that drowned out fear. Jesus commanded them to go out and do wild things – to heal the sick, clothe the naked and feed the hungry, but leave everything behind.  The disciples were thrown into the deep end, into utter dependence, to see how Jehovah Jirah provides. Here’s the thing: we have been given the same authority as Jesus’ disciples. So, I want to live like that, too. In fact, we are called to live like that.

So, Father I abandon myself in Your hands. Do with me, in me, and through me what You will. Allow bravery to trump comfort and Your glory over my own. Whatever You may do, I thank you. Here goes!

We left our phones & backpacks at home and threw our plans out the window. I put my trust in Jesus to pave the way, knowing the safest place to be is in His will. I listened carefully for His voice and followed it because He’s got me & He’s never failed me yet.

We set out for the day with a few places in mind to visit, a little bit of cash (This time… but next time we went empty handed! Sequel to come.) and open hands for where the Lord wanted to take us.

All seven of us jumped in a tuk tuk to Qutab Minar, an archeological ruin site. We chose to stop seeking comfort and instead start seeking the Kingdom.

Usually, the Lord leads me places by my curiosity for history & knowledge, only to be led to His people. Here, we met these school kids on a class field trip.

While there, we met a police officer who helped us navigate the rest of our day and then jumped in another tuk tuk to get to the metro station.

We ended up at a Mosque and were enthralled to make more new friends. It sure is impossible to exhaust my love for people.

While here, we witnessed ‘prayer hour’, with locals worshiping their gods. We covered the place in our own prayer, that when they seek ‘more’ they would find Jesus, the only one who sustains and provides.

Singing, chanting, spreading fire smoke on their heads, washing their hands in holy water, and decorating the mosque with flowers, we declared Truth over this place and claimed Holy Ground.

Then, we went to the Lotus House of Worship, home of the Bihai faith. Bihai essentially teaches the worth of all religions and the unity and equality of all people.

People. Everywhere. I’ve got heaven on my fingertips. 

From there, we walked to the market. Filled with extravagant goods, warm smiles, and willing hearts, we lingered around, talking with the shop owners, locals, and travelers alike.

Seriously. I love bearing witness to how others see the world. What brings them joy, what sparks their creativity, and how their passions have become their livelihood.

To do the work you were called to do is a gift to the world. Maybe it’s making beautiful cloths or intricately designed shoes, and maybe it’s taking a picture of it.

Then we stopped for masala milk tea as we processed the beautiful places and people we saw today. The Lord was faithful in His promises. We lost our bearings, disrupted the predictable, and found Him in the midst of it.

On the way home, we ran into an international dance festival. Are you KIDDING me? Speak to my heart, Lord. We watched people from South Korea, Indonesia, Latvia, India and South Africa showcase their traditional dances onstage. It was a beautiful testament to the Lord giving us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4) and in my case, dance.

We were sent without the comfort and familiarity we were used to, only to find the Lord had greater plans than we could ever set out ourselves. Without the instinct to check our phones, we were attuned to the people around us. Without a map, we trusted in the kindness of others to lead us on our path. When the Lord is all you have, He becomes all you need.   

Join me in prayer: Father, thank you for stirring up a new hunger in us. Thank you that we can abandon the comfort of this world, knowing you are our Comforter. Thank you that we can abandon our plans and living for ourselves, trusting you have set forth greater plans before us. Thank you for your inexhaustible resources and your desire to provide for our every need. Bring us deeper into the depths of your intimacy and our inheritance stored up for us in Christ Jesus. Amen.