It’s the kind of step that makes you want to sit down.
You are about to be asked to do something that is way out of your comfort zone, and the easiest thing to do would be to say no. Back away. Avoid the risk…
For me, saying “yes” rarely means that I have the confidence it takes–it simply means that I’m willing to step out in faith and believe that God has something He wants to show me or teach me.
“For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Maybe this is an overused verse. Maybe it was meant for those Israelites that were living in exile.
But maybe, just maybe it was meant for me, too.
I know it is not a blanket promise that says, “If you just follow the Lord, He will make sure that everything runs smoothly.” But I just happen to be one of “those people” who happens to believe that this Holy Book called The Bible was written by men, yes, but men that were inspired by God to write His message down, so future generations could know Him–including you and I. Words of love and hope and encouragement.
He is not a god made by human hands–He is the Creator and giver of Life. He is not a god that demands sacrifice–He desires obedience. He is not a god that set the world in motion only to leave it to fend for itself–He stepped out of heaven and walked among us. I also happen to believe that He gives each of us a free will. Just as He gave Adam and Eve the choice to obey Him or not, we too have to make the choice to live by His words and His example or go our own way. I’m still reading the Old Testament prophets and over and over again God says, “IF YOU” do this, then “I WILL” respond. God goes on to say in the following verses that we should pray and SEEK Him, and that if we do, we will find Him.
“You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13
You would think that the older we get, the more simple life would become–but it’s just not true. Some things get easier, some harder. What does get easier for me is saying “yes” to God. He has proved Himself faithful in the past, and as the days, months and years fly by, I find myself desiring to know Him more–to seek Him more.
So the question you might ask is, “what does that look like?”.
Glad you asked.
Prayer becomes not just something I do–it becomes a part of who I am. My thoughts and my cares are immediately directed toward God. “What would you want for me, Lord?”. “How should I react to this situation?”. “What would honor/please you, God?”.
Bible Study isn’t just a chore to check off my list–it is time treasured. Time stolen away any chance I get. I don’t just read it–I hunger for it. I crave wisdom and direction and revelation.
Fellowship with other believers becomes crucial. I miss it when I don’t hear from the pulpit or fellowship with other believers. I long to experience His presence and feel His power in my life.
Obedience becomes more urgent. I don’t know if it’s my age, or the condition of my heart, but I do know that I can’t put off any longer the things that I DO know He wants me to do. Wanting to please Him isn’t just about my actions–it’s just as much about my attitude. I really do want to get that part right.
You’ve heard the phrase, “Whom God calls, He enables?” Well that’s me. I’ve been given the task of preparing for a large event for women. It would have been much easier to say no, but I was eventually convinced that this would be something that would honor my Savior, so I said yes. He knew that I would be asked, and He knew that I could accomplish the task with His hand guiding me.
So, here I Am.
Stepping out in faith. Stepping out of my comfort zone and out into the great unknown, and I’m actually excited now to see what He will do–how He will encourage the minister’s wives that will come to this event.
If you are a prayer warrior, and have room on your prayer wall for me, please pray that in the next nine months, as this event is birthed, that I will have clear direction, wisdom, perseverance and confidence in God’s ability to work everything together for good.
Oh, and while you’re at it, pray for my attitude. I want to serve, but I also want to serve with the right spirit when plans just don’t go the way I thought they would.
And–thanks ahead of time. Prayer makes all the difference.
Republished with permission from Blogs.crossmap.com, featuring inspiring Bible verses about Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone.
