Sometimes, … no quite often, God asks us to do things that make us incredibly uncomfortable. And like the shy kid who hates reading in front of the class, we have a choice to make.
Will we follow, take the leap of faith?
Or will we back away from the edge in fear and miss our chance to really soar?
The Father has been sending me quite the message about fear lately, and I know He’s sending some of you that same message, too.
Fear not.
It’s the same message from three years ago when I typed out my first public confession here in this space. You see, I thought that blogging would be a less terrifying, safer way to obey the Lord in using this gift of writing for His glory. I think about that now and just laugh because there is nothing less scary or safe about writing about the hard things in life.
There’s nothing safe about writing how you sometimes feel unloved, or you sometimes fail at loving others. There’s nothing safe about writing out your own sin for the whole world to read.
Listen to me, friends, there’s nothing safe about sharing your story, whatever it might be, but there’s nothing quite as beautiful either because when you do, you get to hear “me, too” and “I needed that” and “thank you.” You find out there are so many other work-in-progress women out there in the world who struggle through the same life lessons as you.
You learn that while you set out to encourage and exhort others through this thing called writing, your Father set out to encourage and exhort you.
But the most beautiful part?
You get to take part in God’s story.
That’s why you need a faith that leaps because when we obey, when we take that risk of being foolish for the sake of Christ, we join in the work of reaching others for His Name. And there is nothing more difficult yet infinitely more rewarding than that, is there?
Is it worth it, this leap of faith?
Yes, a thousand times yes.
It’s worth it, friends.
That hard thing He wants you to do? That person you need to talk to? That story you need to share? That sin you need to confess? That future that He wants you to leap in to?
Take the leap, friend.
And I’m not talking about the feel-good, positive-vibes leap of faith in yourself. I’m not talking about the dream-your-own-dreams, you-can-do-it, make-your-own-destiny kind of leap.
I’m talking about the leap of faith that asks you to deny yourself and take up your cross. The leap of faith that scares the pants off of you because you’re fairly certain you are not capable on your own. The leap of faith that is only possible because you serve the God of the impossible.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, andtake up his cross and follow Me.” Mt. 16:24 (NASB)
I’m talking about a leap of faith with its object and focus as the Creator of the Universe, the God who holds you in the palm of His hand, the One who will never leave you nor forsake, who plans to prosper you and not to harm you.
Take that leap of faith, friend.
To do otherwise is to willfully choose disobedience.
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Heb. 11:6 (NASB)
Choose faith and find yourself in awe of the Lord who works in and through you!
Jen 🙂
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It was a big week for Being Confident of This!
The facebook page reached 1,000 likes earlier last week, and with the Father’s help (because many, many times I wanted to just quit), we also passed the three-year mark here at the blog. So, to celebrate this blogiversary and God’s faithfulness, let’s have a giveaway of some of my favorite Christian living resources! You won’t say no to that, right? 😉
What I’m giving away to the winner:
By This Name by John Cross
This is our preferred Creation-to-Christ resource for strengthening anyone’s understanding of the Bible as a whole. It is our go-to tool for evangelism, discipleship, and so forth.
Every Wife’s Choice by Sarah Fairchild
My favorite resource for every marriage (and not just because it’s written by my talented sister)! Sarah delves into the greek roots of the famous First Corinthians 13 passage on love to reveal truths about the choices we have in loving our husbands. Packed with humorous anecdotes, this read will both challenge and encourage you as a wife.
Praying the Promises of the Cross by Arabah Joy
I had the privilege of working on the graphics for this printable prayer journal (pdf version). Each day contains a brief yet powerful devotional reading about the promises of the cross, a scripture to read and write out, and a section to write out your own prayer.
Philippians 1:6 Printable from me
This 8×10 print will remind you of your work-in-progress status and the hope you have in Christ to one day be complete! Be sure to hang it where you will see it often. 🙂
Okay, time to enter – and don’t forget to share this around so your friends can enter, too!
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Sharing with: Grace and Truth, Faith Filled Friday, Coffee for Your Heart