“I used to think you had to be special for God to use you, but now I know you simply need to say yes” (Bob Goff, Love Does).
Fast forward to spring 2012. God showed through a variety of circumstances that He wanted me to start working on some spring cleaning in my life. I was hanging on to irrational fears and letting them keep me on the couch when He had designed me to soar off on His adventure. Even though it wasn’t always easy, God helped me work through many of those fears and replace them not with cocky self confidence, but stronger-than-ever faith in Him and a belief He has things covered.
That brought my family to spring of 2013. It was around March I was introduced to a new author, Mark Batterson, and began reading his book, In the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. His adventure for life was contagious and God spoke quietly to me, asking me if I was ready for an adventure as well. I caught the spirit and began a journey myself, asking God for some very specific, a little bit scary, answers to prayers that were passions burning in my heart for myself as well as my family. I knew if I chose to start praying this particular way, I was asking God to take us down a path that wasn’t very predictable, but one I prayed would bring Him all the glory. It was definitely going to take me off my couch and have me travel uncharted territory. But it was a journey I was willing to take because it wasn’t for me. It was for Him.
I’m a little further along the journey now than I was in March, and I have to say, there are definitely twists and turns that have taken my stomach more than once. I’ve had to cling to God tighter than ever and He has consistently, lovingly, gently shown He has strong enough arms to hold me tightly so I don’t get thrown off. I’ve also been reading another book, Love Does, by Bob Goff which has further cemented the thrill and excitement of obeying God’s voice when He asks us to take risks in our lives.
However, another truth has become clear to me. As much as I wish I had the type of personality which loves to take risks, I’m someone who has to be encouraged while fighting my natural-born tendency to make sure everyone is wearing their helmets, have their seatbelts fastened, and are familiar with all the emergency exits. When I figured that aspect of myself out, I realized I’m more like Moses, whom God called to lead the people out of Egypt, than Joseph who ended up saving millions of people from death because he boldly kept saying yes when God told him to obey.
Come back next time as I continue by explaining how God can use people like Moses and people like Joseph to fulfill His plans.
© 2013 Cheri Swalwell