My heart is racing. My hands are shaking and I feel faint… what was I thinking volunteering to actually sit in front of these people and give a message about God. Who am I that I feel equipped enough to preach about something that I myself struggle with everyday?
After basically scaling up a mountain, through some jungle like terrain that turned into bridges over water and then taking a narrow path that led us up a steep edge of the mountain to our destination, I am baffeled that i just completed this hike. Never the less, that I haven’t passed out resulting from the anxiety that smacked me in the face when I am reminded that I am preaching… These are the thoughts running through my head as I sit in a circle in a small church on the top of a Himalayan mountain in the middle of nowhere Nepal!
We completed worship, and I felt a little more at peace. Smiling faces, children laughing and my teammates encouraging word’s, there was no backing out now. I had sat outside one morning this past week working on a short message and was really proud of it, why was I now second guessing myself? Well duh, because I’m not listening to my own advise in my message I was about to give, I’m doubting myself which is resulting in me doubting God and the wonderful things he is doing through and in me! My message was about faith, not only the faith we have in Jesus, but also the faith and love that the Lord has in US!
This was the first message I have ever written and then spoken over a community of new believers. Actually it was the first-time i have ever written anything about the Lord and shared with anyone (other than my blogs I have posted) wow what a huge step for me and I need to be proud of that! I need to forget the lies that try to discourage me from continuing to push myself out of my comfort zone and closer to the Lord.. I am Peter in this story, not the others stuck in the boat!!
Please give me grace because I want to share this devotional with you as well although it literally gives me a bit of anxiety all over again!
ENJOY!
Gods faith in us.
I have a message today about faith. Not only the faith that we have in Jesus but have you ever stopped to think about the faith that the Lord has in us?
In the story of the garden of Eden, adam and eve were told not to eat from the forbidden tree . This wasn’t meant to be a test for them, but an opportunity to trust in God and the plans he had in store for them. He trusted us so much that he created earth and handed it over to us to take care of it. How cool is that?!
In Psalms 115:16
The heaves are the lords heaven’s but the earth he has given to the children of man.
Some might wonder why or think it was a questionable decision.. but God trusts us with his valuable works! Even knowing we will make mistakes, knowing the cost it will take to repair it after those mistakes…he did it anyway. Why? Because he believes we can change, he believes one day we will stop running away and start running back to him. When man didn’t trust in Him, we had to deal with the consequences! But that wasn’t the end, He never gave up on us. Because He had faith in us, he still loves us and just wants us to trust him back!
In John 15:16 it clearly says “you did not choose me, I chose you!” Love is not forced, and He gives us freedom to choose because he trusts us and has faith in us. Our father wants us to make the decision to love and trust him in return. Despite our past mistakes, and foolishness He will always love us..
I want to read Matthew 14:22-32
Jesus was walking on water to their boat. They were terrified because they didn’t know if it was Him or not. Jesus assures them it is him and to not be afraid, and Peter challenges him. He says, Lord if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water. . And so Jesus said “come”
Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus but began to sink when he became afraid. Calling out to Jesus he was taken back to safety in the boat.
Most people focus on how Peter didn’t have enough faith and started to sink, but if you look back at the people still in the boat…they were the ones not brave enough to step out in faith at all! Peter had no hesitation. Peter shows his incredible faith through his courage to step out boldly from the boat!
Jesus shows great faith in his disciples believing they can do as requested and walk on water, trusting in Him to keep them safe. But What was holding back the other disciples in the boat to take that step? What was it about the winds and water that made them doubt Jesus ?
What does the water represent in your lives right now? Are there struggles, pains and doubts that are holding you back from taking that step of faith to fully trust in Jesus?
For me the water represents fear of rejection or not being enough. I am daily reminding myself to lay down all my shame, anxiety and the lies that the enemy holds against me at the feet of Jesus. I continuously remind myself of how much God loves me and has faith in me to be his hands and feet, to be His voice and to share His good news! I no longer hold onto the lies that hold me back from stepping out on that water! Even if I fail, I believe in Him because He believes in me!
We love because he first loved us, we believe in Him because he believed in us.What are the obstacles in our lives that we need to hand over to God to make that choice to fully love and trust in Him the way that he loves and trusts in us, everyday? I challenge you to think of the reasons why you feel held back from stepping of the boat. What doubts do you allow the enemy to feed you that are causing you to doubt yourself.. ultimately resulting in you having doubts of Jesus and his Faith in YOU!
This is still a work in progress and has been edited multiple times already, but I hope it makes enough sense for you to take away a piece of encouragement to pour into your relationship with the Lord! WE CAN DO HARD THINGS GUYS! I used to dislike praying in front of people…. But look at me now!
