“An ATM in A Fish’s Mouth”

By: O’Jay Cole

Have you ever been broken-down and tired of brokenness?

I’ve felt that way before.I can recall a period of my life where the weight of financial debt was on my shoulders. 

Submitting to mental anguish was the order of my day.

For some reason, the balance on my account seemed larger than my faith. I’m a college student; and, like other college students, I also struggle financially to make ends meet.

I know some of you may be familiar with the following narrative:

• “This roll of tissue better last me for the month.”
•  “I’ll sit this semester out.”
•  “I can’t come out with you guys tonight.”

Trusting a God we can’t see, feel nor touch is hard. We tend to worry instead of praying. Nevertheless, God has called us to throw our burdens down at His feet.      

God said in Matthew 11:28 and 30, “Come to me, all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

It’s not as easy as it may sound, but I assure you that it is possible.

In my second semester of sophomore year, I owed my school a hefty sum of money that I was unable to pay. I then applied for a scholarship, but the interviewer did not show up to interview me.

I sat there in my black silk shirt, fitted pants, and purple tie looking like the million bucks, but feeling like a mere coin. I was embarrassed and upset with God. Nevertheless, I kept a prayer in my heart. 

I later applied to be a research assistant at school, knowing if I volunteered, I would get a chance to receive the Inter-American Division of Seventh Day Adventists (IAD) scholarship.

 I volunteered but still did not receive the scholarship after applying. At this point, I’m sure you all can imagine how disappointed I was.

Broken down and broke, I left school for summer break feeling discouraged.

To make matters worse, I had a horrible holiday for the most part. I had no summer employment, and no zeal to be productive. I was trapped by the four walls of my bedroom, bombarded by a myriad of negative thoughts.

 I slowly drowned in despair.

Fortunately, God made a way. As the weeks progressed, I felt a peace in my heart, and I embraced it. I remembered that I could leave my burdens at His feet.

Here’s how my situation turned out:

While my mood was being lifted, God led me to check my student management system financial account. When I logged on, I discovered that my balance was cleared and there was extra money to deal with other necessities. 

Oh! The joy I felt was indescribable.

My situation reminded me of the instructions in Matthew chapter 17:27: "Go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.”

The day I logged on to my account and found my balanced cleared, made me felt as though I followed those same instructions.

God made a way when there seemed to be no way, or as I’d like to put it, God turned the mouth of a fish into an ATM machine!

I also got a scholarship! God had done more than I expected.

I learnt that if God can put money into a fish’s mouth – a complete unexplainable phenomenon, then He can ease any financial burden you may have.

I’m urging you to trust God; but, if you find it difficult like I did initially, just remember that you can always faith it until you make it!