“Invite People into Our Unfinished Process.”
*Ruth Chou Simons; IF Gathering 2020
You come to a fork in the road… you have a choice to make. No one really told you that life would be made up of so many difficult choices. Each decision you’d make would change your future in some way, shape, or form. Fear of the unknown can easily cause people to stop in their tracks. Some, to turn around completely and walk away. But to say the unknown is the only cause for fear would be selling the situation short. Many times in life, simply taking the first step is the most dreadful.
I have 4 children so a lot of times I see life’s lessons and God’s teaching through my kids and my experience raising them. Have you ever just sat and watched a child do something new? Even better, something they don’t think they would be good at? Dipping their toes in the water for their first swim on their own, all my kids were afraid. They would go to the edge and immediately say, “I don’t want to fall in!” “Well then don’t.” I’d reply. “Just get in. Once you’re in, it’s not that bad.” But that first step is scary. Will the water be too cold? Will I be able to touch the bottom? Will I go under the water? The first step leads you into the unknown. Will it be worth taking a risk?
Sometimes, the Lord calls us to do things that are outside of our comfort zone… outside our place of security and contentment. In fact, stories in the Bible where you see God’s power and faithfulness often come from a situation outside of someone’s safe place. In our weakness, He is strong! A little over two years ago, I got the call on my life to start writing again… creating this blog wasn’t something I was thrilled about. (As you can see, it took two years of arguing with the Lord to get it done!) I have always lived a life of authenticity with people close to me, but I have many insecurities and fears about sharing myself with the world around me. My fear doesn’t come from a lack of wisdom, but lets face it, I am not known for saying the RIGHT thing at the right time. I am too much of an awkward person for that! My fears run much deeper than that. It comes from a place of incompletion. I’m not yet wise enough, educated enough, articulate enough, etc. But here’s the thing… thank GOD it’s not about us, now is it? It’s about HIM. HE calls, HE equips, HE completes, HE makes a way, HE says, HE chooses, HE ordains, HE predestines. HE spoke and the world was created. HE spoke and the waters were calmed. He is the God who calls you out of your comfort zone; would you trust Him enough to step out? In Matthew 14, Peter trusted Jesus enough to boldly ask, “Lord if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.” The Bible says Jesus told Peter to come, and Peter got down out of the boat, and walked on the water toward Jesus. Faith in Jesus give us hope, peace, and strength to deeply trust in Him. Despite not having it all together, He called me to speak out now, and invite you all to come on the journey with me. At 2020 IF Gathering, Ruth Chou Simons explained it saying to “invite people into our unfinished process.” What a beautiful way to start. How much pressure is released when we have reassurance that we don’t have to have it all together before we listen and obey Christ! HE completes us! Philippians 1:6 (ESV) says, “And I’m sure of this, that he who began a good work in you WILL bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” When God calls you to step up, you take that first step! No matter how terrifying, He has a work He must complete through and in you.
I don’t know what the future holds for me, or my family, as I embark on this crazy idea of blogging. But I rest in the knowledge that God can take my little and make it big, take my few and make it plenty, take my failure and bring success, take my shame and give me grace, take my sin and bring redemption, take my chains and set me free. Beyond fear lies freedom.
“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wandering, and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.”
*Hillsong United
Unleashed 