Fear or Faith?

It was a Tuesday night young adult service. The youth pastor was speaking on a sermon about using your gifts and he used it as the opportunity to talk about the ministries that took place at the church. Knowing that God gave me singing as a gift, I was drawn to joining the young adult worship team.

I didn't know exactly if it was God telling me to go or if it was something I wanted to do. And I just had to know. So I took a step back and prayed. I remember sitting at His feet, singing, praying, pleading to God to just tell me what it was I need to do.

There was a tugging on my spirit for me to move forward and take the step to join but of course, I was scared. I was scared if the move I was about to make was wrong. I worried about how my parents would react to this transition from my previous church to a new church? I asked myself what am I risking and leaving behind? What if I am just not good enough? (Sounds familiar to you?)

In the midst of my questions and making excuses I hear a voice silently whisper in my heart,"I want you to go. Everything is going to be fine, just trust Me. I will be with you." I just had to answer that voice, I couldn't resist the slight tugging that was in my heart telling me to go. I knew that something was waiting for me on the other side and I did not want to miss it. So I did what I felt the Holy Spirit was leading me to do; to go and step out of faith... and I am so glad I did.

I remember it like it was yesterday evening. I went to service that night not knowing that I was walking into the start of my purpose.

When thoughts of fear and doubt make their way in, it hovers over the voice of Peace. It makes us us think that we're not capable of what God designed us to do. It makes us feel small compared to others. It makes us limit God and think that He's not able to do what He has the authority and power to do. It causes us to believe that our strength and will power and greater than His. It cripples us and diminishes the confidence within ourselves but most importantly our confidence and trust in God.

You can't be challenged with something familiar. You can't expect change if you're not willing to approach it. Sometimes we have to take that next step onto the other side, even if we don't know what it may look like. This is where faith comes in.

Faith allows us to see God and how He moves rather than how we move.

It focuses our eyes on the One who has a path set before us to walk on. It allows us to surrender our will for His will. It allows us to tap into the vision that God has in His will for our lives. It allows us to see God for bigger than who He is. It allows us to hold on despite of what we have or feel. It allows us to trust in Him.

We have to trust that He will not fail us. If He's called you to something, trust that He has and will supply you with all that you need to fulfill the very thing He's required you to do. Refuse to listen to your doubts and shortcomings and choose to rely on God's strength instead of your own to carry out whatever it is He has required of you. God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

I'm going to tell you the same thing God told me that night; He is with you. He will continue to be with you. He has called you by name (Isaiah 43:1-3). Trust Him. Whether it be preaching, starting a business, starting that blog God has put on your heart, doing that big move, taking up a leadership role, going after that specific degree, etc. If God has placed it in your heart, trust that God will aid and guide you along the way to make it into HIS reality.

Sadly after a short time of joining the young adult services and worship team, the young adult ministry had ended. Finally coming to know my purpose in God, I was surprised and saddened. I questioned, "God, I believe You've called me to this ministry, what happens now? What am I supposed to do now? Whatever it is I'll do it. If it brings You glory, I'll do it." I didn't care what task it was. I knew God called me and wanted to use me where He was leading me to.

Oh little did I know that the Lord God was setting me up. Just in a matter of time, I began singing and leading worship on weekend services in the main sanctuary.

When we have a heart of surrender and FAITH in whatever it is God called us to do, is when God will begin to open doors that seemed impossible. Whatever God is leading you to, don't pass it up cause of the look of it, it may just be a passage way to another door He wants to open to you down the road.

If I hadn't answered the call I wouldn't have been as close with Jesus as I am today (I'm still seeking Him as much as I can daily). I wouldn't be a worship leader at my current church that I go to now. I wouldn't be serving as a youth leader in my church's youth ministry. I wouldn't have met such amazing people who have the same desire to pursue God and help advance His kingdom. And just to think.. what if I hadn't said yes when God told me to go? What if I hadn't gone to that Tuesday night service?

After saying yes and following God to that next step, will there be times of trouble ? Yes. Will there be times where you want to quit? Yes. Will there be good and bad moments? Yes. Will there be times where inadequacy will come and doubts will invade your minds? Yes. But here's one thing you must know: Jesus has already overcome fear and those thoughts of doubt have no power or say in where God has planted You and in what God has for You.

There's a saying that in a pool of water you don't get comfortable once you jump in, it's after you stay in the water is when you get comfortable. You begin to adapt. What am I saying? Truth is, sometimes you will never feel ready. But if you just take that jump and stay planted in where you've been led to, you'll be glad you didn't wait until you were ready.

Dear Father,

Thank you so much for giving up Your life for us. You gave up Your life not only to be in relationship with us but for us to live for You. Jesus, I understand that You have a special significant calling on our lives and that you have granted EACH one of us different gifts. I pray that You help us to recognize those gifts so that in them may we operate in and through You. Whatever the calling may be Jesus, we say yes to Your will so that what we do may be in Your name, that You get all the glory. I pray against every ounce of fear, doubt, worry, guilt, and shame. Remove these things and replace them with PEACE, ASSURANCE, and BOLDNESS that You are with us and will go before us. Help us to step out in faith rather than sit back in fear, in what You have in store for our lives. Amen.

You will never know what's on the other side of your promises until you step out of where you from. He's calling and I'm hoping you answer it. Have faith & be encouraged. God bless loves!