How cool is that quote mentioned above? It makes me think back to the 14th century when many people (Thales, Leucippus and Democritus) believed that the world was flat, and so they wouldn’t venture far out into the ocean (or venture at all) for fear of falling off the face of the earth. And y’all know I Googled that history, there’s no way those names would have lasted in my memory (which operates 90% in short-term, it’s a real struggle) from high school.
Can you imagine that? Standing on the shore, looking out upon the waters of the sea, maybe even splashing in the shallows, taking in all the mystery of the ocean, yet never leaving the sand. Never having the faith to discover whether the earth really is flat, or perhaps round, for yourself. Just solely believing what everyone else has believed – basing your entire view and perspective of the UNKNOWN off of others’ opinions.
What if we lived our lives that way?
What if some of us are living our lives that way now?
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For far too long, I was convinced that I couldn’t do mission work. I had listened and believed the lies of the world and the enemy. I gave in to believing lies that said the Lord didn’t have Good and Miraculous plans for my life. I felt like I had been set aside – not someone called to greater potential. I lived my life bored. I lived not seeking more, because I didn’t believe the Lord had more for me. I walked in my insecurities believing I wasn’t good enough. I was constantly comparing myself to others, wondering why God was choosing them to go on these incredible adventures, and not choosing me….
He wasn’t holding me back. I was holding myself back.
All those lies I believed, those words didn’t come from Him. Things spoken over me and to me had come from the world. And we live in a fallen world. I think sometimes we forget that the world is not our friend. The world is not a place of trust.
1 John 5:19 “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”
The world is under the control of the evil one. And the evil one? He doesn’t like you, especially if you’re pursuing the Lord. He wants to destroy your faith and belief in God. He doesn’t want you to know how wonderful the Lord is. He wants to take every good and pleasing thing the Father speaks over you and twist it so that you cannot do the Good Works that the Lord calls us to take part in. The evil one wants to see the Kingdom fall.
Well, I’m not buying into it anymore. I refuse to believe the lies that held me back from stepping into the God ordained plans for my life. I can recall times when the Lord had doors open for me, and I always chose the safer door with a guaranteed “okay” outcome, because I was fearful to believe the Lord for more Goodness in my life. I didn’t think the Lord would continue to provide greater opportunities for me when He had already blessed me with much.
But I’m done believing those lies.
My World Race trip – this is me sailing. This is me jumping into something I’ve always wanted to do, an adventure I’ve had my eyes set on for years. I’m sailing into the unknown to discover the truth for myself. To discover more about who God created me to be. To discover more about people of different cultures and how to “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:29-20). I’m sailing to discover more about God.
Sailing: an act of beginning a voyage or of leaving a harbor.
So what is your ocean? Are there mysteries you crave to discover more of, yet may be fearful to sail your ship? Are you sailing or sitting on the shore?
