We all have a choice to make. A choice to decide whether or not there is room for Jesus. Whether we accept to be saved by grace and live a life wrecked for the Lord. What use to gain the world but lose your soul? You have a choice to inspire people, to make a lasting impact even if that is just changing the world for ONE person! A choice. A choice to be the innkeeper who leaves their door wide open for Jesus, or the one who slams the door when things get too messy. How incredibly satisfying it is to turn from our limitations, to a God who has none.
2 months ago while in South Sudan, one question continued to occupy my mind. How can these people be so humble yet have nothing? There is where I was so wrong. These people had more than I could have ever understood then, because to have Jesus is to have everything. To have faith so strong, their lives depended on it. To the Sudanese people, Jesus was all they had to depend on. Their humbleness was astounding! I realized something in those 2 weeks.. you will never influence the world by trying to be like it. He sustains us in our weaknesses, and tests our faith. He makes us uncomfortable, but his promises are made true. He doesn’t deny us there will be obstacles in our lives, but he promises to give peace through it all. He tells us to love the unlovable, because to love others is to love him. He never promised living a life for Christ to be easy, but he promises to never leave us to be alone through it all.
While fundraising for The World Race, my faith has been tested on so many levels and I’ve been uncomfortable at times. But that’s ok! I never thought this was going to be easy! This month, God laid it on my heart to do something that would require me to take an incredible step of faith. Just 2 days after obeying God’s word, he blew me away in his faithfulness. Not only did God fulfill his promise over my life, he has given me a peace in knowing that he is who he says he is and he has not left me. Sometimes (including myself) God has to reveal things to us kicking and screaming. But when he does, he never ceases to leave us in awe at his glory. So to explain the title, I AM DROWNING. I am drowning in God’s faithfulness. I am drowning in God’s love for people, for changing the world. I’m drowning in his presence and reassurance. I am no longer drowning in the worry and the anxiousness the Devil throws at us, because his presence surrounds me. In his presence I am made whole.
Be encouraged as you start this new week in knowing your faith will not grow by chance, but by choice! This week, let your faith be BIGGER than your fears! Maybe it’s the fear of sharing Jesus to that hard to deal with coworker, or maybe it’s simply the fear of taking that step of faith in obedience for something tough God has asked you to do. Give God your weakness and he will restore you with his strength.
“Give, and you will receive. A large
quantity, pressed together, shaken
down, and running over will be put
into your pocket.” – Luke 6:38
To trust God in the light and the good times is nothing, but to trust him in the dark, that is where you will grow in your faith like never before. This week, do something you’ve never done, accept God’s calling over your life, love the unlovable, and trust in God’s promises to be true. Throughout the busyness of life be reminded that STRESS makes you believe that everything has to happen right now, but faith reassures you that everything will happen in God’s timing! Never limit God by making your own plans for your life! Open your door for the Lord, humble yourself, and he will blow your mind!
