My first official speaking engagement was a dream come true. Not a worldly dream like a dream home or dream vacation,but rather a dream placed in my heart by the will of God. Something that was beyond my reach if I depended on my own strength and talents. For years insecurity, unworthiness, and shame kept me from stepping out in obedience to this call to speak. I was stuck, in a holding pattern, placed there by the scheme of the enemy.
Stepping out in faith is so difficult. The enemy attacks us on every side. He is the destroyer of dreams, especially those that will advance God’s kingdom. He is the liar who will tell us whatever necessary to keep us from believing that God can do that which we cannot even ask or think.
You may be struggling with stepping out in faith. I get it. Life would be so much easier if we could just do what we want to do, when we want to do it. I’ve done that too and have reaped the pain that comes from rebellion. But through this speaking experience, I’ve learned that when you trust God and step out into obedience, doing what God wants you to do, when He wants you to do it, there’s a thrill in fulfilling that desire He’s placed in your heart. It doesn’t mean that it’s not scary or easy. Stepping out in faith is just that…scary and difficult but there’s an assurance that you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing and there’s an extreme amount of peace in that. Sleep at night is deeper and there’s an extra “spring in your step” during the day. Walking in faith is where He wants us.
Every. Single. Day.
So, I want to encourage us to walk by faith.
Trust God (Psalm 37: 4-5) – If God has placed a desire in your heart to serve Him in a certain way, trust Him for it! Delight yourself in Him by getting up each morning and spending time with Him. Sing that praise music. Delight yourself in that dream and make a commitment to do everything possible to prepare for it. And then wait…He will bring it about.
Resist the Enemy (James 4:7) – Don’t heed the Enemy’s lies about you or the dream God has placed in your heart. Use God’s word to resist him.
· When your overwhelmed - “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
· When you feel unworthy - “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
· When you’re scared - “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
· When your anxious - “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Do the next thing (1 Corinthians 15:58) - Just do what Jesus leads you to do. Don’t let your past, what anyone says, or any lies Satan tells you, keep you from obeying. That’s the work. That’s the essential, necessary work.
God gave this word to me and now I’m sharing it with you. I haven’t arrived. I have to remind myself every day of these steps of faith. There are days I don’t stay focused or I don’t show up and I don’t do the work but you know what? God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). I confess my wandering heart and start over.
Every. Single. Day.
18th-century pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson knew our struggle when he penned:
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
-Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Stay focused, sweet sister! You’re not walking this journey alone. Show up and do the work because God has big dreams for you (Ephesians 3:20). Step out in obedience and allow Him to make them come true!