This is a repost from my Facebook page two years ago.
You ever feel like every time you turn around, there’s a certain verse, or message, popping up? And you finally say, “Yes, God, I’m listening.” I’ve had that so many times.
And here we are again.
The book that I’m reading had this sentence, “We think our responsibility is to tell everyone how they should interact with Jesus, but what is most life changing is when we interact with Jesus in front of others and let them see the difference He makes in our lives.”
Doug Hannah on the Message radio this morning said, “Let today be the day you take the first steps toward living your life like you are exactly who Jesus thinks you are.”
Then “Joy” by For King and Country came on the radio, and part of the lyrics say, “Give me strength to raise my voice let me testify…the time has come to make a choice.”
I’ve prayed for words to give you. I pray for ways to help people. Then I think of something, but I think, “That’s too personal,” or “That’s not inspiring enough,” or “I can’t put myself out there like that.”
God is making me upside the head telling me otherwise.
He said, “Look, I’m giving you ideas. I’m giving you words. There are people ready to hear what you have to say. You just have to make the choice to say it.”
Ok, God. I hear you. I’m listening.
My prayer is for boldness to be more open and transparent and confident in sharing how God has worked and continues to work in my life, and what I have learned and am still learning from it all. To show people how I love Him and how He loves me, and how our relationship works. To stop being afraid and to stop suppressing the words, feelings, and desires He has placed in my heart. I pray that God will give me strength and wisdom to be an example to those who are watching and listening to me. That I will have confidence in God, and in myself, that I can lead others to Him, and also help strengthen those who already know Him.
It’s time to step out of my comfort zone a little bit. To put my money where my mouth is, so to speak, and put into action the trust that He will guide me and that what I say and do will be for His glory, no matter how hard or uncomfortable it is or how shy I feel about saying it.
They don’t call ’em growing pains for nothing.
So, use me, Lord. I’m ready and I’m listening.
On this Thanksgiving day, I am thankful to have seen this and been reminded of the things God has placed in my heart. I feel like I have grown since writing all of that, and started down that path.
But I felt like I needed to renew that prayer, and push myself even farther. I pray today that God continues to use me and give me ideas and words. That I will write fearlessly and with joy, growing and stepping outside of my comfort zone even more. Writing with the hope that what I say will bring goodness to those who read my words. And that my example will show others Jesus, the difference He has made in my life, and the difference He can make in theirs.
