"How often, as human beings, we are crippled by our fears. We are afraid of change, of loss, of being hurt. We cling so tightly to what we have because we are afraid of what would happen if we didn't have these things anymore. . . I had recently been back to the States and seen and realized this fear. A very real fear that if we gave everything away, we wouldn't have enough for ourselves. Back in my new home I saw the consequences: children starving to death, sleeping under rags and in chicken feces, withering away from disease. In our fear, even many of us who claimed to believe in Christ were failing to do what He said for the least of His people.
"Fear. It's part of human nature, but it's not something we got from God. Second Timothy 1:7 says: 'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.' When I imagine God creating each one of us and planting a purpose deep in our hearts, I never imagine that purpose being mediocrity. While the Bible doesn't tell every person on earth specifically what his or her life's calling will be, it does include a lot of general direction. . . mediocrity and abundance aren't there. However, mediocrity and abundance, comfort, and ease, do seem to be safe choices for many people, myself included. In stark contrast, leaving our possessions, following Jesus when we don't have a well-defined plan, and entertaining strangers-well, that does sound a little scary. But what if, just beyond that risk, just beyond the fear is a life better than anything we have ever imagined: life to the fullest."There are lots of things in our lives and our futures that could easily scare us if we aren't careful. Fear of the unknown is a big one for many of us. Fear of failure, fear of change, fear of missing God's will, and other individual fears can creep into our minds and influence our views and decisions about life in a negative way. It's much easier to read "do not be afraid, nor be dismayed" from Joshua 1:9 than to obey it. The end of the verse, however, is the key phrase that shows us how it is possible for us to overcome all of our fears. "For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." When we give in to fear, it is because of our human limitations and frailties. What we lack in the midst of our fear is sufficient faith. God will never leave nor forsake His children. This promise doesn't guarantee us immunity from pain, failure, change, or battles, but it does remind us that whatever happens we have our Shepherd right beside us. He will pick us up, heal us, lead us, fight for us, and ultimately bring us into His presence for eternity.
Just think, what would you do right now if all of your fears were suddenly gone? What is fear holding you back from accomplishing or pursuing? It is so crippling to live in fear. It holds us in the middle of mediocrity, where we are most comfortable but perhaps least effective. I believe God gave us life, both physically and spiritually, for His glory. We can glorify Him by obeying Him. John 14:15 says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." If we love Him, we will obey Him. If we obey Him, we will glorify Him. Here are a few of the ways that the Bible gives us to show obedience:
1. Go and sell your possessions and give to the poor (Matthew 19:21).
2. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:19).
3. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).
4. Treat 'the least of these' as you would treat Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:40).
5. Visit orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27).There are plenty more commands in there, but I just picked out a few that seem to especially apply to those individuals God calls to places like Uganda or Botswana. I may not write a book like Katie Davis did, but I hope to be glorifying to God by obeying His commands and His call and stepping out in faith despite any fears that try to hold me back.
 |
This excerpt along with the example she gives about her little girl Grace fighting to take her nighttime bath but loving it once she finally gets in, reminds me of how amazing it is to be in the center of God’s will for our life even if at first we fight against it. I think about how often fear does cripple me keeping me from stepping out and trusting Him. It is so easy to want to run from what we see as scary, hard, or uncomfortable because of the unknown. Two verses come to mind when I think about stepping out in faith.
ReplyDeleteMatthew 17:20
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Hebrew 11:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Oswald Chambers said: "Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict. What is your faith up against just now? The test will either prove that your faith is right, or it will kill it. "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me." The final thing is confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith, and the last great test is death. May God keep us in fighting trim! Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us."
ReplyDeleteGod help each of us, Jeffrey, in this new venture of faith - me, as your mother, to confidently draw and release you from the quiver to the Master Archer, and you, as the arrow honed sharp and perfectly fletched by His hand, to hit mark in the battle for His Kingdom.
Remember the words of Isaiah you learned as a young child, with the help of G.T. and Defender ;-): "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you, strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
And the words closely following in verse 13 that came to me confirming the call I at first resisted to teach you at home: "For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.'"
For He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid." Hebrews 13:5
He is the Alpha and Omega, enclosing you behind and before with His hand upon you, and knowing from the womb His purposes for you. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest for the people of God, drawing near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.