“So do something religious. Get out of the boat.”
I have attempted this blog update numerous times. It is long overdue.
So, let’s try again...
68 days Post-Training Camp (TC)
A brand New Year upon us...
O Squad launch – T-Minus 12 days...
A brand New Year upon us...
O Squad launch – T-Minus 12 days...
Despite many changes, struggles and the hiccups in my plans; one thing I’ve been victorious in is
NOT quitting – not giving up through it all!
So many changes, unknowns and um yes, lest I forget the overarching…
...a grand detour!!
My World Race Journey has taken a detour through the desert of Phoenix Arizona and landed me in a condo and not a tent. Sleeping on a bed rather than a floor or in the great outdoors. Sitting in counseling sessions rather churches services in a village. Working through personal growth as opposed to helping the widows and orphans.
Some things in life never turn out how we plan but I am certain
they ALWAYS turn out how GOD plans!!
they ALWAYS turn out how GOD plans!!
When I left TC in October, I had no idea what was going to happen next. I am most certain though, God had his hand written ALL over the details and He had HIS best in mind, for ME!
Since departing a large hilly campground in White Georgia, my life has taken many twists and turns. My days have been filled with appointments with a dietician (did you know I have an eating disorder?!), therapy sessions (yup, I am messed up like the rest of the world but not afraid to face it anymore), long days of working a job just to make ends meet (thank you Jesus for providing a new job with MUCH better pay and “lower stress” levels come late November), boxing up a room ready to move all to hear God say WAIT (yet again), discovery of who my true friends are and who they are not (surprised?! slightly! but blessed!!), and an amazing new world of things I realized I never liked (all because I was afraid of trying them).
All to be summarized as change and triumph all by God’s grace!
The day I left TC and all the days in between could be summarized by one word – fear. Up until about two weeks ago, I had no idea what was happening. It was a new concept for me to consider fear. You’re probably asking yourself if you read that right – yes, CONSIDER fear! I had no idea it could be used in my life in such a positive way, but it has been.
While going through counseling in this “waiting” time, I’ve learned a great deal about the fear that has gripped my life. In learning how to lose it, I had to learn how to consider it! Consider the benefits when I face it, rather than push it away! It’s been freeing in ways I NEVER thought possible.
A sweet woman of God (and a dear friend) that I met through my WR journey has stood by my side and encouraged me through so many late night calls and tears shed. She encouraged me to read a book on fear. I wasn’t sure at first but decided to check it out one weekend while out shopping.
The book has really challenged me, along with counseling, on how to CONSIDER the fear of my life and on the flip side, ways to work through conquering it. It’s been extremely eye opening. I pray the following will challenge you – in ways you have yet to consider!
Let me preface this: the book is based off the story in Matthew14 where Jesus is walking on the water and he commands Peter to come to him. Peter is hesitant – recognizing that he cannot walk on water. But Jesus COMMANDS him to come to Him...
I
believe there are many good reasons to get out of the boat. But there
is one that trumps them all: The water is where Jesus is. The water may
be dark, wet, and dangerous. But Jesus is not in the boat. The main
reason Peter got out of the boat is that he wanted to be where Jesus
was. Matthew keeps referring to this reality. Peter’s request is, “Lord,
if it’s you, command me to come to you.” Then Peter got out of the boat
“and came toward Jesus.”
Because Peter did this, both he and his friends came to a deeper understanding of their Master than ever before. They came to see more than ever that they could place their destinies in his hands with confidence...
They understood that the One in their boat was the One alone who treads the waves of the seas – and they worshiped him.
How about you” When was the last time you got out of the boat?
I believe that God’s general method for growing a deep, adventuresome faith in us is by asking us to get out of the boat. More than hearing a great talk, or reading a great book, God uses real-world challenges to develop our ability to trust in him.
We tend to seek a world of comfort. We try to construct manageable lives with some security and predictability to maintain the illusion that we are in control.
Then God “passes us by” and shakes everything up. The call to get out of the boat involves crisis, opportunity, often failure, generally fear, sometimes suffering, always the calling to a task too big for us. But there is no other way to grow faith and to partner with God.
Maybe there was a time in your life when you were walking on the water on a regular basis. A time when your heart was much like Peter’s: “Command me. Tell me to come to you.” A time when you would risk sharing your faith even if it meant rejection; giving, even if it meant sacrifice; service, even if it meant the possibility of failure. Sometimes you sank. Sometimes you soar. But you lived on the edge of faith.
Maybe now, though, you haven’t been out of the boat in a long time. You may have a very nice boat, with padded deck chairs and stabilizers so you never get seasick in the storm. You may have gotten quite comfortable sitting in your boat.
But the Lord is passing by! Jesus is still looking for people who will get out of the boat. I don’t know what that means for you. If you get out of your boat – whatever your boat happens to be – you will have problems. There is a storm out there, and your faith will not be perfect. Risk always holds the possibility of failure.
But if you get out, I believe two things will happen. The first is that when you fail – and you will fail sometimes – Jesus will be there to pick you up. You will not fail alone. You will find that he is still wholly adequate to save.
And the other thing is, every once in a while you will walk on the water.
So do something religious.
Get out of the boat.
Because Peter did this, both he and his friends came to a deeper understanding of their Master than ever before. They came to see more than ever that they could place their destinies in his hands with confidence...
They understood that the One in their boat was the One alone who treads the waves of the seas – and they worshiped him.
How about you” When was the last time you got out of the boat?
I believe that God’s general method for growing a deep, adventuresome faith in us is by asking us to get out of the boat. More than hearing a great talk, or reading a great book, God uses real-world challenges to develop our ability to trust in him.
We tend to seek a world of comfort. We try to construct manageable lives with some security and predictability to maintain the illusion that we are in control.
Then God “passes us by” and shakes everything up. The call to get out of the boat involves crisis, opportunity, often failure, generally fear, sometimes suffering, always the calling to a task too big for us. But there is no other way to grow faith and to partner with God.
Maybe there was a time in your life when you were walking on the water on a regular basis. A time when your heart was much like Peter’s: “Command me. Tell me to come to you.” A time when you would risk sharing your faith even if it meant rejection; giving, even if it meant sacrifice; service, even if it meant the possibility of failure. Sometimes you sank. Sometimes you soar. But you lived on the edge of faith.
Maybe now, though, you haven’t been out of the boat in a long time. You may have a very nice boat, with padded deck chairs and stabilizers so you never get seasick in the storm. You may have gotten quite comfortable sitting in your boat.
But the Lord is passing by! Jesus is still looking for people who will get out of the boat. I don’t know what that means for you. If you get out of your boat – whatever your boat happens to be – you will have problems. There is a storm out there, and your faith will not be perfect. Risk always holds the possibility of failure.
But if you get out, I believe two things will happen. The first is that when you fail – and you will fail sometimes – Jesus will be there to pick you up. You will not fail alone. You will find that he is still wholly adequate to save.
And the other thing is, every once in a while you will walk on the water.
So do something religious.
Get out of the boat.
If you want to walk on the water, You’ve got to get out of the boat
- John Ortberg, Page27-28
- John Ortberg, Page27-28
I am on a journey with Jesus – seeking Him with
no reservations, no regrets and pure faith!
no reservations, no regrets and pure faith!
So what about you?! Will you join the Jesus journey? “...do something religious. Get out of the boat.” You will NOT be sorry you did!!
Blessings in 2013<3
Dana
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