For those of you new to this blog, you may want to read about One Word and our Fearless Fridays.
I’m flying to Chicago today to speak at a retreat for the church where I grew up, and yes, I’m a tad nervous.
Some (many?) of the women who will be there know me. You know… in a way that can be embarrassing. They watched me grow up and they introduced me to my husband and they were at my wedding. They have seen a lot of awkward. And perhaps remember some ill-advised words or jump-before-you’re-ready-moments. This is a bit…daunting.
What’s ahead of you today that requires “undauntedness”?
What is it that helps us to walk secure into situations like these?
There’s a message that Bill Hybels preached a few years ago that I have thought about more than most and it’s been helpful in this daunting stuff. In the message Bill talked about Hezekiah’s prayer in 2 Kings 19.
The Assyrians are coming against the Israelites. The king of Assyria sends a letter trash-talking Hezekiah and the God he holds fast to. Hezekiah could easily have been daunted by this super power of the ancient world, but he spreads out the threatening letter before the Lord and prays.
“Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God.”
The key question that has rolled around in my brain as I’ve prayed ever since is, “What’s your ‘so that’?”
Whether it’s anticipating a really hard conversation or confrontation, or a big project or a new business venture, or a physical goal, or an application… if there’s fear associated with it, it must be important to you. Why? What would you say?
“This is important to me so that…?”
Really? There’s a lot of muck in our many motives. But if our “so that” is to bring glory to God it drains the daunt out of the situation.
Because if we’ve worked as hard as we can to prepare, and laid out our situation before God, and can honestly say “I think…as best as I can tell (and I know no motives are completely pure) I want to do this well so that You will be glorified.”
Then it’s not about us.
We have nothing to lose and nothing to prove. The ball’s in God’s court. We can relax and move ahead undaunted.
It’s up to Him to add His “extra” to our “ordinary”, His “super” to His “natural”.
Because “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Cor. 4:7)
How’s it going with your One Word? I’d love to hear what you’re learning!
Be fearless! Bring it this weekend. You have much wisdom, grace and love to share. I will be praying for you! Enjoy resting in God and the peace only He can give. You are going to be great!
Thank you so so much for your kind words of encouragement Sarah. I am moved and so grateful for your partnership in ministry!
Sent from my iPhone
Laura, Your insight and guidance were a blessing to everyone who attended. They loved you.
You are my mother 🙂 You are required to think that!