We don’t get to choose the assignments God gives us to accomplish His purposes in the world. We just obey His direction. Abram went to a foreign country. The prophet Hosea married a prostitute. Moses led the Hebrews out of Egyptian captivity. David became king of Israel. Paul preached to the Gentiles through much persecutions. Esther went before the King to advocate for her people. Jesus died on the cross.
We do get to choose how we respond to His instructions. We must respond with courage. Courage is not the absence of fear but action in the presence of fear. Just as God encouraged Joshua as he was preparing to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River and into the Promised land, God speaks to us today, Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). I don’t know what assignments God has given you to do in this season, but these are scriptures that keep me grounded when His assignments have me off my rocker:
- Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10). Fear of judgement, rejection, and failure can paralyze us when God instructs us to do something. Yet, fear is False. Evidence. Appearing. Real. Studies have shown that 91% of what we worry about will not come true. And of the 8% that does, we will be able to handle it. Gods got you. God is the same God, today and forevermore. The last time He gave you an assignment, didn’t He show up? God will never leave you or forsake you. Just take the next right step!
- For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) Faith is the norm for the believer. We are not walking by faith, if we can see the outcome. Therefore, we must get used to living in the unknown. To survive the uncertainty, we must determine to trust in God and His good purposes. The hymn says, “Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.” Stop resisting! Just truth!
- For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11). He plans to giveyou a future and a hope. Hold loosely the vision you have for your life and cling tightly to God’s vision. Jesus says, If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24). As the gospel singer William McDowell says, “My life is not my own, to you I belong, I give myself, I give myself to you”. I just finished watching the movie Till. This movie chronicles the events of Mamie Till Mobley as she mourns the lynching of her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till in 1950’s. Although heartbroken, she accepted what God allowed and was instrumental in getting the Civil Rights Movement started.
What is God calling you to do in this season? Is there a relationship that He’s calling you to restore? Conversations He’s calling you to start? Steps He’s calling you to make to start that ministry, business, or new profession? Is there a discipline (exercise, financial planning, etc.) that He is calling you to be consistent with? Communicate your fears to Him as you move forward in obedience. He will strengthen you and you will have learned more about Him in the process!
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