Asking for money is intimidating! It takes humility and fearless faith. I knew the fundraising part of this journey was going to stretch me the most so why was I surprised when God asked me to take some steps outside my comfort zone to walk towards Him!?
On the day I was accepted into the World Race God gave me a peace about raising the money. I felt Him say someone would write a check for $16,000. After hearing that, I was on fire!! I had a Holy Spirit swag no one could touch! I started telling people about World Race and sharing my story. Everyone was excited for me but when it came to fundraising I kept hearing the same thing “Wow, that’s a lot of money!” Slowly my faith started fading into doubt.
One night a friend called and said he felt prompted to share something with me. He had just read a devotional about reckless faith and shared the story of Jesus walking on the water. I thought reckless faith was an awesome expression and was familiar with the story of Jesus walking on water but I didn’t quite understand what it all had to do with me…until I woke up the next day.
I have no idea why but for some reason God likes to use the J train (the train I use to get from Brooklyn to Manhattan) to speak to me. It’s the same train I was on when God opened my eyes to World Race. Anyway, as I took a seat on the train, it hit me. I was Peter and my boat was my present way a living. In Matthew 14:22 -26 we learn that the disciples were caught in a storm being tossed around in a boat when they see Jesus walking on the water, coming towards them.
Matthew 14:27-33
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When I looked at fundraising I got nervous, asking for money, reaching out, planning events, it all takes preparation, dedication and humility. When God asked me to step out of the boat He said “don’t be afraid Amy, I will make a way. Trust me and I will show you!” And I believed Him until I listened to the world. The voices of doubt I was listening to were like the wind Peter saw as he walked toward Jesus. When he saw the wind he took his eyes of Jesus and looked back at the boat he had come from, the last place he felt secure.
I can’t look back at the boat. I refuse to be stay where I’m comfortable out of fear. I don’t want God to have a reason to say “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?” I want Him to say “I’m proud of you! Thank you for trusting me to fulfill the promises I’ve made.” I want my story of fundraising to be a testimony for others. Just like the disciples worshiped Jesus after what they had witnessed, I want people to see how God provided for me in hopes that it will strengthen their faith and encourage them to take a step outside the boat and walk towards Jesus.
“Courage is taking action when you feel afraid”
“Confidence is faith activated!”
Joyce Myers
