Stop, Drop and Pray

When we are are caught in a fire and our clothes are burning we are told to "stop, drop, and roll". Sometimes we see our job of fundraising as one where we feel flames licking our clothes. There is so much to raise and so little time and so few resources to tap.

1 Th. 5:16-18 'Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'

I was at a conference recently with other school advancement officers and there is a sense that we are fighting an uphill battle, mostly by ourselves. Even though we realize that God Himself is the one who brings all good gifts, we often act as though it is all up to us, or up to our boards, etc.

Paul's instruction reminds us that we should remember to be joyful for who we are in Christ. He wants us on our knees 'continuously' seeking and trusting. We are to give thanks in all circumstances, even difficult ones.

Stopping to pray is recognizing who God is in our work, declaring our own inability to do everything, and trusting the Lord to lead us in the way we should go. This might mean being still and listening to see what the Lord would have us to do next. Or, He might just be saying, 'stop and watch me work."

If we build our work on Kingdom principles we can be sure that, even if we "fail" in our fund raising objectives, God's truth abides and it will sustain us and our school.

Matthew 6:33-34 'But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'