Faith Zone Challenge, Day 5: Embrace Your Calling

This has been an amazing week! Wow - I have learned so much from everyone who has responded and been greatly encouraged! If there is anyone who has not had time to read through the comments each day, I encourage you to do so! They are wonderful, profound and very meaningful. Thank you all!

Over the past four days, we have spent more with God, and hopefully grown just a little closer to Him as a result. We have been challenged to face any unforgiveness issues that we were hiding in our hearts. We have been challenged to consider our attitudes and whether or not our lives were a reflection of Christ. And yesterday, God's love was shared and spread throughout the US as we each put aside our fears and hesitations, and sought out opportunities to spread the gospel in some way, either through our words or our actions.

My prayer, and challenge, for you today, is for you take an extravagant leap of faith. If you have taken this challenge seriously so far, then your heart should be more prepared to take a leap of faith than it may have been before!

For years, I was convinced that God was stalking me with the verse, Jeremiah 29:11. I knew that God had called me to be a speaker and writer for His kingdom. I had heard His voice, almost audibly it seemed, during a worship service, and there was no doubt in my mind what He was calling me to do.

However, I was scared of drastic change. I was fearful of leaving my comfort zone. I was terrified about what other people might say or think about me if I shared my testimony. I was gripped with fear, and paralyzed by the unknown.

I said no. I walked in complete disobedience to God's will for my life for several years. And to top it all off, I was sure that God was disappointed in me. I am disappointed when my children disobey my commands, and I was sure God felt the same way about me.

But get this.....despite my lack of faith and obedience, God still kept calling me with this same verse - it actually got very annoying!

Jeremiah 29:11 just kept popping up everywhere I went for months, even years! I would see it on TV; in my bible studies; in sermons; my friends would mention it in conversation; it would be on a piece of mail I received; I would overhear a stranger talking about it; it would be on an interstate billboard; my bible would even fall off the table and the pages would miraculously flip open to Jeremiah 29:11! Im not kidding - I was being stalked by God and Jeremiah!

Jeremiah 29:11 says this, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

After all those years of trying to ignore Gods call on my life, and falsely believing that my life was going along just dandy the way it was, I finally, but hesitantly, surrendered. I asked God to forgive me for my blatant refusal to walk down the path that He had prepared for me, and I surrendered my fears, my life, and my future to Him. After all, He promised me that He did have a plan! I wanted to see what it was! My anticipation had been building and I was ready for the blessing!

Months later, after resigning from my job, and having spent many months contacting churches and preparing my heart and my messages, I drove to my first speaking engagement - practically in tears, feeling sick to my stomach.

What was I thinking?! What in the world made me think I could stand up in front a big room of people, who were all staring at me in anticipation of hearing my feeble attempt to share some wonderful gospel truth? I was not a bible scholar, nor a seasoned speaker - OMG! Get the picture? I was a nervous wreck. I questioned Gods call on my life, and also questioned my sanity for taking this crazy step out of my comfort zone. Heavy sigh.

I arrived to the church, and sat in my car for a few minutes, staring out at the rain pouring down. I breathed deeply, with my eyes closed, hoping that maybe nobody had seen me yet, so maybe I could still make a clean getaway. Then I prayed. Hard.

I talked honestly with God. I told Him that I was not capable, but that I trusted Him to give me the right words. I told God that I was afraid, but that I trusted Him to calm my fears. I told God that I was not worthy to be His voice, but I trusted Him to speak through me. I told God that my legs were weak, but that I trusted Him to be my strength.

I said amen, then finally mustered up enough courage to go inside, and was warmly welcomed by the event coordinator. I later stepped onto the stage, and God took over.

I dont know how I did it - no..... GOD did it. I was merely the vessel - He was the deliverer.

Since then I have spoken at many, many events at many, many churches and organizations - but you know what, those same insecurities always creep back into my heart. I say that same prayer before each event, and God never ceases to come through, time and time again.

I learned that I have to choose to listen to the right voice - His voice - not my own, and not my enemys. I have to make a concerted effort not to listen to my inner fears, my self-condemnation or rattle off my feeble excuses trying to convince God that I am still not qualified or worthy to be His vessel.

I have learned that I must consciously choose to listen, trust and fully depend on God every day. You see, tomorrow, He might give me a new command. I want to be ready! What about you?

Has God called you to do something that you feel is completely out of your reach?

Has God called you to go in an entirely direction in your life, but so far you are paralyzed in place?

Has God called you to minister to others in a way that you feel incapable of doing because of your own fears and insecurities?

Are you afraid to move forward with a dream that God has planted in your heart, because you do not feel worthy to be His servant due to your own past, or present sin?

Are you hesitating in your obedience, due to a lack of tools, resources, time, money, etc?

Is God calling you to leave your comfort zone and enter the faith zone?

What is God calling you to do?

Are you willing to do something extravagant for God?

No excuse is good enough for disobedience, I learned that the hard way. The strength of our powerful and almighty God is awesome enough to lead us into extravagant obedience. And just as a special perk for obeying - you will be extravagantly blessed.

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Challenge #5: Take an extravagant LEAP OF FAITH - embrace the call that God has impressed upon your heart. Listen to the right voice, and forget the excuses.


John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and then appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Galatians 1:15 God, in His grace, chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve Him.

Prayer for today: Oh God, I am humbled by your unfathomable grace upon my life, and your infinite mercy upon me. I can never express the amount of gratitude I have in my heart, not just for what You did by sending your Son to die for me the cross, but for coming into my life and for not giving up on me.

Please pour your strength into my soul, and your courage into my inner most being so that I will step out in faith for YOU - with no excuses. Forgive me for my untimely responses to your call. I praise you for continuing to love me and bless me, despite my hesitations, fears and disbelief that You truly are in control of all things and have an amazing plan for my life.

Thank you for preparing that plan for my life, and for leading down the path that leads me closest to you. Continue to walk beside me Lord, and show me your plan. Lead me Lord. I am willing to do something extravagant for you, because I love you.

In Jesus name, Amen.