We were praying that God's will be done, but I have seen the beauty of the way God has worked through this young man's life already. He is not even 21, and he has already been to multiple countries sharing the word of God through worship. I have seen how God has opened the doors for him because he has said “here am I, send me.” My heart was wrestling with the idea of him having to take 2 years away from school and ministry. So was his.
He's from a very small village, and is able to go to Bible School only because of those who are willing to sponsor him. That is also how he has traveled. People who see the potential and gifting that God has poured out to him have given financially so that he can go. It couldn't have happened any other way. His whole life is kind of a miracle. He knows this and is extremely grateful.
As you know, the whole world changed in February and by March we were locked down in the refugee camp. We didn't know what God had in mind, but we just kept praying. He went back to his village and I came back to America. Eventually this young man learned that because of Covid-19 the lottery had been postponed until July. We just kept praying. I will be honest, in my heart I was telling myself I was grateful that he had this time to be with his mother. If he did get called to the military, at least this was a consolation. Sometimes my faith is not as strong as it should be.
About a week before the time to go for the lottery I got a text from my young friend reminding me that the day was fast approaching. I already knew because it's been marked on my calendar since he first told me. I shared some encouraging words and continued to pray. The team that I take with me each year was also praying. Sometimes we don't know what to ask for. So we had been praying for black. The entire time – praying that when the time came he would choose black and would not have to serve. Never once did I think that God might choose a different way to answer our prayers.
The night before his appointment, I saw that he was online and asked if I could call him. I heard the shakiness in his voice, but I also felt the faith coming from his heart as we talked. We closed our conversation in prayer that night and I asked God to give him peaceful sleep and even stronger faith. His night is my day, so I continued to pray throughout the day.
As I sat down to dinner that night, I realized that it was about time for him to go. All of a sudden I got a text and he began sending me pictures as he waited in line. When I asked how his heart was as he was waiting, he confirmed that all of his trust was in God and the prayers that we were praying.
I texted our prayer warriors and we continued in the battle. With every picture we were left wondering and trusting what God was going to do. I didn’t see how God could make a way for this healthy young man to avoid going into the army. But we don’t have to see it. We just have to believe that His answers are coming. Sometimes we give up when, if we could only see it, God’s answers is closer than we even know!
It went silent on my end of the connection as I knew he was getting ready for his turn in the line. The waiting is the most difficult part. But God is with us in the waiting. Finally I heard the ding from my messenger.
“I finished to check about how tall I am. 157 cm. Standard is 160 cm and up. This is the miracle because I checked in at the hospital before at 160 cm but now 157 cm.”
We weren’t finished. He had to wait to see if there were enough people left for the lottery. If there were not enough, he might still be chosen. But I don’t think any of us were really worried at that point. God had shown up. He had already answered the prayer and we were just waiting for the world around us to confirm it! The next picture I got was from his motorbike. He was headed home.
Three centimeters. Five months of praying and we were only 3 cm from our answer. How often do we give up 3 cm from our miracle? That’s all it took. Three tiny little centimeters. I was encouraged that day, just as I am now as I write this down. What have you been waiting for? What are you waiting for? What is the answer that you need from God? Don’t let go. You may only be 3 cm from your answer.