I was incredibly lucky to get to visit the IF:Austin women's conference this past February. It was an amazing experience. IF taught me a lot and it challenged me to up my game (my game, as in my spiritual life). For awhile now I've been feeling as if I need to be doing more. I feel as if I'm coasting along in my own private world with the Lord. And more and more I'm seeing people who are hurting, lost, and don't know Jesus. And instead of reaching out, I'm just staying in my own safe little bubble. I feel as if God is urging me forward. The problem is, I'm scared. Maybe that right there shows I'm lacking trust in my God, and more than anything I want to have total and complete trust in Him. Because deep down I know that when I turn that trust completely over to God, my life will be so much more than I could possibly ever imagine. So how do I do that? The word that God has placed over and over again on my heart is courage. Courage to step out in my faith. I think the words courage and trust could go hand in hand. Because by stepping out in courage, I am also placing my trust in God. At IF they asked us to fill in the blanks on this statement:
IF God is _________ then ____________.
I love this statement because I think at different seasons in our lives we can fill this in with different words. Since I feel as if God is asking me to trust Him and be more courageous, this is how I completed that statement.
IF God is my courage then I won't hesitate when I feel the nudge to step out in my faith, even if this means participating in something that in the past I would have never volunteered for.
IF God is my courage then I will continue to step out in courage even when I feel like I've failed, and I'm talking failed big time. Because I've learned that courage isn't just about taking that first step, it continues on even if that first step feels like failure. Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." God knew that those stepping out in faith would feel as if they had failed at times, and that's why he tells us, "do not be discouraged." We are told to keep going, even when we will feel we can't, or we feel embarrassed, or we feel as if we made a mess of the situation we were in, or when we feel like no one could possibly want to hear what we have to say.
IF God is my courage then I will work at introducing myself to people I don't know, people who are sitting by themselves, people that I pass every morning at my son's school and yet have never stopped and had a conversation with, or new faces that I see at church.
IF God is my courage then I will speak up and share with my family about the way my new relationship with God has changed me. I won't be afraid to talk about my new walk with the Lord.
IF God is my courage then I will choose not to participate in conversations that bring down others or spread gossip.
IF God is my courage then I will quickly and quietly get my wallet out to pay for the soldier who sacrifices so much for my freedom. After all, it's because of his courage that I am able to live in the land of the free.
IF God is my courage then I will quickly and quietly get my wallet out to pay for the soldier who sacrifices so much for my freedom. After all, it's because of his courage that I am able to live in the land of the free.
IF God is my courage then I will speak truth even when it might cause tension in relationships that I have.
IF God is my courage then I will not be afraid to ask someone if I can pray with them, especially when I know that they are struggling with something that definitely needs prayers. I will stop saying, "I'll pray for you." And instead, I will say, "I want to pray for you right now," and I will turn those words into actions.
IF God is my courage then I will write this blog for the Lord, and I will be confident hitting the publish key, knowing that writing brings on a whole new level of putting myself out there, but I will remember that I am not after the approval of others. As it says in Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."
IF God is my courage then I will walk onto that stage with my head held high knowing that God is walking out in front of all these people right beside me. And knowing that he is the one who has given me the words to say. He is doing a work in my heart, and the opinions of others will not matter. The only thing that will matter is that I am being obedient to Him. Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
IF God is my courage then I will say no when I already have a full schedule, knowing that by saying yes I will be frazzled, overwhelmed, and not giving 100 percent.
IF God is my courage then I will not be afraid to ask someone if I can pray with them, especially when I know that they are struggling with something that definitely needs prayers. I will stop saying, "I'll pray for you." And instead, I will say, "I want to pray for you right now," and I will turn those words into actions.
IF God is my courage then I will write this blog for the Lord, and I will be confident hitting the publish key, knowing that writing brings on a whole new level of putting myself out there, but I will remember that I am not after the approval of others. As it says in Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."
IF God is my courage then I will walk onto that stage with my head held high knowing that God is walking out in front of all these people right beside me. And knowing that he is the one who has given me the words to say. He is doing a work in my heart, and the opinions of others will not matter. The only thing that will matter is that I am being obedient to Him. Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
IF God is my courage then I will say no when I already have a full schedule, knowing that by saying yes I will be frazzled, overwhelmed, and not giving 100 percent.
IF God is my courage then I won't stop with my first courageous act, but will continue to let God nudge me, mold me, and use me for the good of His kingdom.
How would you complete this sentence?
IF God is _____________ then _______________.
Take time today to reflect on this. This is a great sentence to keep somewhere where you will see it again, so that at different times in your life you can focus on what God is placing on your heart.
AD
How would you complete this sentence?
IF God is _____________ then _______________.
Take time today to reflect on this. This is a great sentence to keep somewhere where you will see it again, so that at different times in your life you can focus on what God is placing on your heart.
AD
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