Wednesday, December 12, 2012

"Out on a Limb"


"The angel said to her, “Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus." Luke 1:30-31 GNT

Today is the day after for me. The day after I was out on a limb. Oh boy! Was it a little crazy. Not really because God was making it crazy or because it was even a crazy situation. It was crazy (for lack of a better word) because I was feeling all crazy inside. I was being placed in an area that I really wasn't comfortable. I knew I wasn't in my gift mix and I was very insecure about my ability of this job that placed in my lap and my old people pleasing patterns of course decided to pop in their ugly little heads all over the place. But it was a job that needed to be done and God gave it to me to do. And last night after the job was completed, I knew why. And I share this with you to encourage.

God used this time to grow me. To show me that in my weaknesses--my not strong gifts areas--He can and will still use me. That He will never and has never forsaken me because of those weaknesses. That when we allow Him to use us all the time--not just when we want or feel comfortable--that mighty and glorious things will happen.

He allowed this time to let me draw upon the growth I have made through Him--with the people pleasing patterns--so that next time I'm in one of those places, I will have the memory of this time to draw strength & courage from. To keep me on my knees, keep me drawing upon His strength and my faith in that strength. And then when it was over, just to feel and see the mighty work He did--well, it was SO very awesome! 

This morning, right before I began writing this blog, He brought to me the above verse and many other incidents in the Bible of people that He has--through the many, many years--taken out on a limb to do mighty and glorious things. People, if they hadn't been willing, trusting and faithful, that in their unwillingness would have changed the world we know.

What if Mary had said no? What if Peter hadn't walked on the water? What if Zacchaeus didn't climb the tree? What if Noah hadn't built the ark? What if Jesus had a change of heart? What if I hadn't been willing to do my task yesterday? What if you hadn't been willing to _______________? (you fill in the blank.)

Our God is SO much bigger and greater and gracious than we can and will ever give Him credit for. What's so amazing is that even though He is a perfect God, He doesn't expect perfection from us in order for Him to use us or to want us as His children. All He truly wants is an open heart and spirit that is willing to serve Him however He chooses--not when we choose. Do you receive that?

So now it's your turn. What limb has God been asking you to go out on and you have held back? What fear, pride, lie, do you have to reject, to put upon God's alter and get freedom from?

Imagine this is what God is saying to you, "Be willing to go out on a limb with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be." Why is that? You are correct if your response is because that is where HE is.

"Going a little ahead, he fell to the ground and prayed for a way out: 'Papa, Father, you can—can’t you?—get me out of this. Take this cup away from me. But please, not what I want—what do YOU want?'” Mark 14:35-36 MSG