I remember the first time I ever played the drums in front of an audience. After playing Rockband for two years I had decided it was time to take up a real instrument. A month later I found myself on stage for our youth group. When I get really nervous, my ankles itch. Weird right? Well my ankles were itching like no tomorrow. How could someone like me who had no music experience be playing worship for these people? Just yesterday I was thinking it would be sweet to play for the band and now I am in the band. So I prayed to God in that moment and asked that his name be glorified (I may have also asked him not to let me embarrass myself hehe). Sure enough, it was an amazing experience and I got a ton of encouragement even though Im sure I probably played pretty terribly. So here I am three years later, and I am getting paid to play on a worship team with a seven other college students and travel around to different church camps. What a crazy opportunity right? Guess what? I'm scared to death! But I know God will lead me and I also know how depressing life can be living in the comfort zone lying to myself about how great things are going all the while knowing there is something I am missing out on.
Before I went to Kenya I was scared. Could I even survive in Kenya for three weeks? Could I raise money to go? Could I still have a summer job? All of these were uncertain until I actually made the step of faith and went. Turns out I got a sweet internship despite the three weeks I had to miss work, I raised more than enough money to go, and the trip itself changed my life and the lives of others in profound ways I could not have dreamed of.
I could go on but I am not here to impress you or tell you that trusting God is peachy the way you think of the term. If you want to be impressed please just ask for other people's stories. I am still young, and my experience is small compared to many of the giants before me.
You see God has an INCREDIBLE plan for each one of us. I know you have heard about this plan but I hope you can listen to me and open your heart so that God might convince you of it.
Is fear holding us back? Can I tell you something? I think God is big enough to handle whatever problems you throw his way.
Imagine then if you will. You are sitting in your comfortable little house, with your comfortable little TV, and your warm cup of coffee. By the door is God dressed for adventure. Perhaps you envision Indiana Jones or Aragorn. Whoever it may be, he asks you excitedly "are you ready to go?" For a moment you let your eyes leave the TV and you see his ernest but joyful expression. "Its gonna be sweet bro! You gotta trust me!"But leaving would mean getting up out of the comfortable chair and missing the rest of your favorite television show. Finally you say "No, Im just not ready yet." God gives smile and a nod and sits down beside you. "Well, I can wait for you then."
Do you see the tragedy in this? There is something incredible waiting for you out that door. God is much bigger than those things. Do you trust him? Do you believe that he has a plan for your life? Faith is part belief but also part action. Faith is making the leap despite all of your fears. Perhaps you are older and you think it is too late. The beauty of it all is that God is still waiting, he has not left you or taken a nap. You may never know what could have been, but there is so much more that can still be! If you are young like me, then hear this. Write down your dreams; write down who you want to be and not just what you want to do. Live each day holding the hand of God and letting him lead the way. And no matter what happens, know that the Lord is with you. I am certain that I would rather live God's dream for me than in a comfortable house, with a comfortable cup of coffee, and a comfortable TV set even if that means a life of persecution like Paul had.
Can you imagine what our reaction would be to God's plan in our lives once we reach heaven? I will be much more pumped than these guys were when they reached the bottom of that mountain (watch to the end to hear their reactions) . Heck I am more pumped for the few things he has done already! Can you imagine looking back at that mountain knowing you just dominated it? There is only one way to find out!
Trust God, I think if he created and sustains the universe then he must be able to take care of you and I. Tell Indy "Heck yeah, lets do it!" Then without a look back, suit up and head out into the unknown behind him knowing he will be with you the whole way.
P.S. If you have a request as to what I should write about please let me know! I may be ignorant about it but I will do my best! Thanks!
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