He is Sovereign

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. - Psalms 46:5

God’s sovereignty has always been one of my favorite attributes because it communicates that He who sees my inward thoughts also loves me unmeasurably and will use His supreme authority for my good and His glory.

The sovereignty of God is the attribute I can use to trust God when my financial support is running low. It is where my friends can seek out hope amidst the loss of their mother. It’s the truth that my friends and family in Puerto Rico can hold on to when the winds and the waves slam up against their windows. God’s sovereignty doesn’t always bring complete comfort because our finite minds can’t comprehend His supreme knowledge and authoritative decisions, but combined with the knowledge of His love and compassion, we can find rest.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. - Psalms 46:10, 11

This last Winter Conference (WC) in Baltimore, Maryland I was honored to host four

Christian student leaders from Puerto Rico. During the conference they experienced biblical community with close to 2000 students from across the region, solid teaching from multiple speakers and deep intimacy with Jesus through prayer and worship. Before heading back to the warm island, I took Gabriela, Ruben, Veronica and Sonya to see Rockefeller Center (picture right) and debrief with them over dinner.

During our conversation, the students communicated: “I just don’t know why I was chosen to represent my people and help raise money for them. Why me?” Another common statement was “I am so overwhelmed by the kindness, I just needed to go cry.” Each of these young adults admitted that on the island, they had to be strong and ready to help their families survive each day post-Maria. One student had just received power two days before leaving for WC and two were still without. Like most students in Puerto Rico, their education can literally lift their families out of poverty and yet it was put on pause for several months just after being interrupted by protests in April.


So often we don’t understand God’s ultimate plan for working things together for our good and His glory but it’s comforting to know that He can and that He loves. 

Click here to watch the video we shot in November where these students talk about just that.

PRAY. GIVE. SEND.

“for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part….your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.”

- 2 Corinthians 8:2,14

Puerto Rico is still suffering the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria which hit the island territory on September 20th. Electricity, clean water, healthy food, batteries, and gas are scarce essentials most of these U.S. citizens do not have.

Our Response

The first week of October, I and two others with Cru were able to get to the island and help in a small way. Liberty Church and GAiN, the humanitarian arm of Cru sent us with supplies such as: 

• water filters 
• batteries 
• work gloves
• gas cans 
• flashlights 
• clothes 
• food
• money 
• wipes 
• drinks 
• snacks 
• medical supplies

Our quick response team was one of two sent to Puerto Rico with materials and funds to support and assess the situation so that we could learn what to do next. GAiN will be joined by other ministries in Cru such as the Campus Ministry and Athletes in Action. I'm hopeful for what's to come.