Recently, God has been teaching me a lot about my security in Him. In my spiritual walk, the counter attack to stepping out in faith and acting in obedience is always fear. Did I hear God right? How could this be possible? Or how will this be possible? Does God really have this under control?
Looking back in my life I see pillars of big decisions that resulted in such spiritual growth— should I go back to Olivet and keep swimming? God, you’re asking me to start a team Bible study? You want me to join the prayer warrior ministry? I’m moving back home? I’m going to be a youth group leader at Antonio’s church in Grand Rapids? I’m working night shift critical care? What is this spiritual formation program, I’m stepping out and applying for it? God, you’re inviting me to train for an Ironman? What is World Race, really? Should I quit my job and leave Michigan to pursue it? And now, You’re asking me to help lead another expedition squad? You’re asking me to join the military?
As I continue to learn what it means to make God the LORD of my life, I am met by His love. It seems the more desperate and honest we are as we come before Him and our community, the more He meets us. Yesterday morning during a quiet time, I was bringing some of my fears before the Lord. In it, God hit me with some very subtle reminders that my security in him remains strong and is unshakable. As I was praying and bringing my fear before God, I felt the Lord asking me to open my kindle and flip to #37 of the Passion Translation Devotional. Man, was I encouraged to read the following:
Reminder ONE (I Hear His Whisper Devotional)
“Just as a builder lays a foundation for a large and strong house, so I have laid a foundation for your life. The foundation is built upon the Rock of Truth. I have set you walls and strengthened your being. You will be a stronghold for my Presence, and I will display you to the world as my beautiful masterpiece. Sacred blood I gave for you. Holy hands were opened to receive your nails. Beautiful feet that walked the streets of Jerusalem were pierced so that you could walk out the path of life with me. I will bring my plans to pass. My longings for you will be fulfilled. Do not look at the structure and say it is inferior. The enemy will ask you look at your limits. The evil one wishes to make you feel isolated and insecure. Look at my wisdom and say, “Father, you do all things well. You do all things well” Even now, I am preparing the next steps of your journey with me. I am building you into a house of glory that I might show my overcoming, conquering strength through you on my behalf. Slowly and carefully as a master builder, I have constructed you and built you up. I will finish what I have begun. Many times you have asked me, “Why does this take so long?” “Why are we doing it this way?” I speak to you in this day: believe in my wise plan for your life, look to me and it will come to pass. My power and grace will rise up within you; what now feels impossible will be lifted from you. Your limitations are invitations for my power to deliver you. Never doubt my conquering love. I hold you in a place of security—now and forevermore. For I have determined to build you up into a spiritual house. I will fill you with trust, hope, peace and love. I work for your good. Trust in my sovereignty over your life”
Reminder TWO (His Word)
Psalm 16: 5-11 “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The line have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad,and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make know to me the path of life, in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore”
Reminder THREE (Jesus’ word)
“Let the little children come to me”
Why I pull myself together before coming to the Father? Do I really believe he cannot handle my fear? My hurt? My sadness? Why do I believe I need to be strong and gut out a way when He is just waiting for my surrender. In that surrender, He meets me with such a tender embrace. Always. My friend, Mel, once said, God doesn’t JUST want us to be precious, innocent little children. It is good to sit on his lap, to be held in tender embrace. But, I think He says let the little children come to me because little kids are REAL. If they are upset in the grocery store, they’ll flop on the floor. If they want a sucker, they will cry. If someone steals their toy, they’ll scream. I’m not saying we all need to have emotional explosions, but if I don’t come before God with all my honest emotions, I am not fully entering into relationship with Him. I am not like a little child entering into His presence with an unguarded, trusting and innocent heart. He wants me to run to him with my fear and doubt so that His love can truly meet me.
Reminder FOUR (His Voice)
“Open your hands, so you can receive all I am trying to give you, young one. I will be the security you feel like your are losing. Let your trust for me swell; I will never reject or abandon you”
Reminder FIVE (Book club—Surrender to Love, David Benener)
“Growth in love is not an accomplishment, but the receipt of a gift”
Grace is the point of obedience. Our obedience is always motivated by God’s presence in us and always leads to growth. In my flesh, I cannot do anything for the kingdom. I need to be completely reliant on God. And then, as God moves in me, I cannot take credit for the fruits of obedience, because…. it was Him moving and acting through me. Instead of do do do, God invites us to just be as we allow him to abide in us and work through us. Growth in the kingdom certainly is not an accomplishment. It is an overwhelming gift, as God continues to make a way.
Wow. Perfect love casts out fear. I have a long ways to go until understanding, but I’m continue to further see what John meant. In my fear yesterday morning, God met me with FIVE words to bring me to greater confidence of His love. God is not asking us to be superheroes. He simply wants a willing and trusting heart. God’s power and close presence is the ONLY thing that equips us and allows us to live into His will for our life. His Spirit and love is the only reason of our transformation. I’m learning it’s 100% okay if obedience makes me feel terrified. But, as He says, “let the little children come to me”, we cannot stay in a place of fear. We must bring that fear before the Father, and he will remind us again how He holds us secure, loves us before we have accomplished any task and goes before us in all things.
I want to challenge you today: where is God calling you into greater security? What are your using in your life to mask your great need for His constant presence?
