Christ Our Shepherd Lenten Devotion Series 2023
Possibilities: Breaking Outside Your Bubble
March 6, 2023
Today’s Lenten devotional is written by Melissa Jacobson.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
How many times have you felt called to step outside your comfort zone, but the fear held you back? Sometimes we feel that nudge from the Holy Spirit and we still sit back with our arms crossed not willing to take that leap because of fear. Fear of what? Making a mistake? Feeling stupid? Not making the right choice? I have let many opportunities pass me by because my fear got the better of me.
When I was the youth director at Christ Our Shepherd, I attended a group called Fayette Area Youth Ministers Association. It was a group of about 25 men and me…the lone woman. I constantly let my fear get the better of me when asked to take part in something special. One particular time I was asked to serve as the team minister for the ladies’ basketball team at McIntosh High School. At first, I was excited, but, when I really thought about the responsibility, I let my fear tell me I was not good enough and I declined. Later, I heard they went the whole season without a minister because no one stepped up. Disappointed in myself, I felt bad because I know I could have made a difference for those ladies.
Last year I felt nudged to pursue my calling to work with kids with special needs. I wasn’t sure what God wanted me to do and I was terrified to change careers. I prayed every day for a better picture of what God wanted me to do and finally I got that clearer picture. I thought it was crazy to change careers again at my age, but that nudge kept getting stronger and stronger. When I made the decision to change, I was so scared things were not going to work out, but every time I started to spiral and lose my way, God pulled me back onto the path he had already paved for me. I could almost hear him asking me just like he asked his disciples…”why don’t you trust me?”
It’s very easy for us as Christians to limit ourselves from doing what God has planned for us because it is different from what we want for ourselves. I’m here today to tell you to quiet your soul, sit back and listen….really listen to what God is calling you to do. If he has paved the way for you, then he will walk right beside you the whole time. Letting go and giving our fear to God is the only way he wants us to live, as hard as that might be for us.
Dear God,
You sometimes ask me to step out of my comfort zone and I desire to be faithful. I want to trust that you will equip me to do all you have called me to do, but it requires that I lean on you more than ever. So, I come before you now and ask for your help. Be my guide, my strength, and my source of joy. Amen
