"If we never get out of our comfort zones, we can't grow into the places God has prepared for us."
-Seth Barnes, Kingdom Journeys: Rediscovering the Lost Spiritual Discipline
I am a relatively forgetful person. Honestly. Sometimes I wish that I weren't but there are just some things that I forget over and over and over. Namely, that the Lord is a man of His word. I can't tell you how often in my spiritual walk I experience the Lord provide or protect in some incredible way only to forget the very next day. Another opportunity to trust Him comes along, and I fight the same fight of "Lord, do I really trust you to show up? Are you really good? Are you really sovereign?"
The past year of my life has been defined by God calling me to step out of my comfort zone. To step into roles and situations that are unknown and unclear. He is revealing in me my distrust in who He is. He tells me that He has a great a wonderful plan for my life; that He will protect me and provide for me; that He will never leave me nor forsake me. Yet with each new opportunity to step out in faith I find myself back in that place of questioning His character.
I now understand the tension that I feel to be as simple as what I believe at any given moment. I either believe that Jesus is who He says that He is, or He isn't; that His word is true and His promises pertain to me, or they don't. With each situation I am left with a choice. To believe Him or not.
To believe Him actively is to step out in faith. To say, "even though I have no idea how this is going to work out.. I will say 'yes' Lord because I am choosing to believe that you are sovereign and you are good."
Last week I went on a set-up trip to the Bahamas. The goal of this trip was to secure lodging and ministry partners for our upcoming trips this summer. Less than a week before our departure the Lord allowed our plans on the Island to fall through. This meant we were starting from scratch. With non-transferable/non-refundable tickets to Eleuthera we decided to go anyway, trusting that the Lord would provide a place for us to stay and contacts to build relationships with.
It ended up being another series of incredible stories of how the Lord showed up. He instantly provided a network of contacts throughout the Island for us to meet with. Through these people He provided immediate lodging for us including a night camping on the beach under the stars listening to the crashing waves of the Atlantic. It was so refreshing to step out of what my plans would have been and to step into His plan for our short few days there. I look back on the week and our decision to go. We could have easily cancelled our trip and worked hard to plan another time and location to pursue but instead we stepped out into the unknown and the Lord amazed us by His presence and provision!
How wonderful it is to see the blessings that follow obedience. Just in that one decision to go the Lord has revealed so much of Himself to me. So much of His love and heart to draw me out into Himself. To be captivated by his beauty displayed through creation. To breath in the fresh sea air and to unplug from the noises and distractions of life.
What areas in your life is the Lord asking you to say 'yes' in?
How can you take a small (or large!) step forward in obedience trusting in who He is and in the promises that He has spoken for you?
I challenge you to consider stepping into the unknown of New York City Metro or Hurricane Sandy Relief. How might the Lord use your obedience not only in your own life as you step out in faith, but in the lives of many who need the love of Jesus in New York?
To sign up for an Adventures Youth trip to NYC Metro click here.
To sign up for an Adventures Youth trip to NYC Sandy Relief click here.
To sign up for an adult trip with Adventures Encounter to NYC Sandy Relief click here.
(ps just to illustrate the incredible beauty that the Lord allowed me to see this week because of saying 'yes' check out this picture!)
-Seth Barnes, Kingdom Journeys: Rediscovering the Lost Spiritual Discipline
I am a relatively forgetful person. Honestly. Sometimes I wish that I weren't but there are just some things that I forget over and over and over. Namely, that the Lord is a man of His word. I can't tell you how often in my spiritual walk I experience the Lord provide or protect in some incredible way only to forget the very next day. Another opportunity to trust Him comes along, and I fight the same fight of "Lord, do I really trust you to show up? Are you really good? Are you really sovereign?"
The past year of my life has been defined by God calling me to step out of my comfort zone. To step into roles and situations that are unknown and unclear. He is revealing in me my distrust in who He is. He tells me that He has a great a wonderful plan for my life; that He will protect me and provide for me; that He will never leave me nor forsake me. Yet with each new opportunity to step out in faith I find myself back in that place of questioning His character.
I now understand the tension that I feel to be as simple as what I believe at any given moment. I either believe that Jesus is who He says that He is, or He isn't; that His word is true and His promises pertain to me, or they don't. With each situation I am left with a choice. To believe Him or not.
To believe Him actively is to step out in faith. To say, "even though I have no idea how this is going to work out.. I will say 'yes' Lord because I am choosing to believe that you are sovereign and you are good."
Last week I went on a set-up trip to the Bahamas. The goal of this trip was to secure lodging and ministry partners for our upcoming trips this summer. Less than a week before our departure the Lord allowed our plans on the Island to fall through. This meant we were starting from scratch. With non-transferable/non-refundable tickets to Eleuthera we decided to go anyway, trusting that the Lord would provide a place for us to stay and contacts to build relationships with.
It ended up being another series of incredible stories of how the Lord showed up. He instantly provided a network of contacts throughout the Island for us to meet with. Through these people He provided immediate lodging for us including a night camping on the beach under the stars listening to the crashing waves of the Atlantic. It was so refreshing to step out of what my plans would have been and to step into His plan for our short few days there. I look back on the week and our decision to go. We could have easily cancelled our trip and worked hard to plan another time and location to pursue but instead we stepped out into the unknown and the Lord amazed us by His presence and provision!
How wonderful it is to see the blessings that follow obedience. Just in that one decision to go the Lord has revealed so much of Himself to me. So much of His love and heart to draw me out into Himself. To be captivated by his beauty displayed through creation. To breath in the fresh sea air and to unplug from the noises and distractions of life.
What areas in your life is the Lord asking you to say 'yes' in?
How can you take a small (or large!) step forward in obedience trusting in who He is and in the promises that He has spoken for you?
I challenge you to consider stepping into the unknown of New York City Metro or Hurricane Sandy Relief. How might the Lord use your obedience not only in your own life as you step out in faith, but in the lives of many who need the love of Jesus in New York?
To sign up for an Adventures Youth trip to NYC Metro click here.
To sign up for an Adventures Youth trip to NYC Sandy Relief click here.
To sign up for an adult trip with Adventures Encounter to NYC Sandy Relief click here.
(ps just to illustrate the incredible beauty that the Lord allowed me to see this week because of saying 'yes' check out this picture!)
Be encouraged and say 'yes' to Jesus!
