An Invitation to Live

The waves at the ocean look inviting when it is one hundred degrees on the sandy beach.  However, as I got up to join my family splashing in the waves, I got a sinking feeling I am all too familiar with.  Fear.  It crawls up and threatens to choke out all the refreshment of being cooled by the water, of the joy that comes from the wonder of the ocean, and the excitement of life.

I still made my way in.  Brrr it was cold, but then little by little I waded in further until I got used to the water.  But I only went so far.  My ankles were covered and my mind adjusted to where my feet were.   I couldn’t see them, and all I could think about was what was lurking underneath me.  “Lord, if I step on something I just may walk on water in front of all of these folks.”  I whispered.  I saw the people all around me enjoying the waves rolling in, and I was jealous of their abandonment of worry.  I was beginning to focus on the unknown, and sinking in the sand being washed away under my feet.

Reasoning Behind Reluctance

But what was really scary to think about was that the fear had begun at home before I left for vacation.  Out of the blue I began to have flashbacks to the pictures of the Tsunami’s that had wreaked havoc in Asia.  I kept seeing the pictures weeks before we left.  When I did I would just dismiss them and try to remember that isn’t the norm.

Facing Fear

When I was actually at the beach those same pictures tried to invade my thinking again.  There I was in the water and I wanted to turn and high tail it back to my beach chair.  But, I was determined to face that fear.  Could I really allow those thoughts to take my mind off the fact that God was the one who held the ocean in its place.  I thought of these words:

⁸ “Who shut up the sea behind doors
when it burst forth from the womb,
⁹ when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,
¹⁰ when I fixed limits for it
and set its doors and bars in place,
¹¹ when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
here is where your proud waves halt’?  Job 38:8-11 NIV

Could I really be afraid when my Redeemer and promised Protector walked on the waves of the sea He had made?  Yes, but I didn’t have to let it stop me.  You see the spirit of fear had begun tormenting me before I even left.  Attempting to steal my joy and peace that would come from the refreshing of vacation.

So I started wading out and going deeper in the refreshing crashing waves.  I looked and saw my husband.  There he was with our two children, swimming in the water, and holding onto their hands.  He was showing them that there was nothing to be afraid of by taking their hand and leading them.  God whispered across my heart that He was doing the same thing in my life.  I had a choice.  I could take His hand and trust Him, or sit and watch others enjoy life.

Fear continued to try to get in my way, but I just looked past it remembering that God didn’t give us armor for our back for a reason.  He stands behind us.  If I kept facing the fear He would have my back.  If I turned to run I would leave it exposed.

Another Opportunity to Run

I faced another fear this morning when I talked to someone about the book that God is urging me to write.  God has been chasing me down to write it.  So I talked to the gentleman who had been leaving me messages.  I dialed the phone whispering under my breath.  God I am doing this so the ball is in your court now.  Afterward I was amazed by the blessing it was to talk to him.

I began another two classes today toward my degree at Oral Roberts University, and God threw in a reminder to keep writing that book I have been dreaming about.  I speak on behalf of women and the unborn, and counsel women at the local pregnancy support center.  I start more peer counseling in a couple of weeks.  It all makes me gulp.  Me as Minister, Counselor, Public Speaker, and Writer.  However, I am encouraged by the words God speaks into my life through others.  By His own words in the love letter of the Bible.  And by the testimonies of others who have gone ahead of me.  Today it was the words of the publishing consultant I talked to this morning.  What he said was along these lines, “When God gives you a vision He lines up the provision.”

God doesn’t throw us in the water and leave us there.  He promises to go before us and be with us.  When we get there the provision is waiting.  When we do our part God does His.

What is causing fear to rise up in your life?  Face it.  Whatever step you need to take you should take it.  Remember, God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

He was there when the Israelites were entering their promised land.  He told the priests to step into the water with the ark.  Then He parted the water for them to walk across.  We need to step into the water and He will do what He promised every time.

Here is a verse that ministers to me.  I pray it encourages you to take the next step toward your promised land Beloved.  ❤ Melinda

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2 NIV