Have you ever felt God calling you to do something different, something new, something difficult, something outside of your comfort zone?  There were times I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit telling me to go or do this or do that and out of fear or discomfort my response was “But God …”

Have you been there?

We are not alone and we are in very good company.  The Bible is filled with examples of people who responded and said “But God” … I am not qualified because …

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Reluctant:

Moses received the 10 commandments and parted the Red Sea.  It was under his leadership that the people of Israel were freed from their slavery.  But Moses was a reluctant leader.   He responded and said “But God …”

“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, ” I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘ I am has sent me to you.'” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭3:11-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

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Rebellious:

Jonah was called by God to reach out to a nation and declare God’s judgement upon the great city of Ninevah.  Jonah did not like his calling and he decided to go his own way.

 

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ² “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil^[a] has come up before me.” ³ But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.”

Jonah 1:1-3

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Have you felt God calling you to do something new, something hard? It could be anything.  Each of us have our own level of comfort and our own fears.  What is He calling you to do?

• Share a word of hope with a stranger
• Share the love of Jesus with a co-worker
• End an unhealthy relationship
• Speak up for those that cannot speak up for themselves
• Stay single and live with integrity
• Quit your job and stay at home to raise your children
• Start a bible study
• Go on a mission trip
• Volunteer at a shelter or nursing home
• Write about your experience with God in music or a poem
• The list goes on and on

How are you responding to the calling of God upon your life?  Like Moses we may come to God and say

But God I can’t because …

• I don’t have the experience
• I don’t have the finances
• That is not my gift
• I am not comfortable speaking to strangers or in large groups
• My home is not suitable to do something like that
• There is someone better or more qualified than me
• Now is not a good time, this doesn’t really fit into MY agenda
• The list goes on and on

 

Like Jonah, (but hopefully not) we may respond and say but God I just don’t want to – this is something that is beneath me or pointless since it won’t change anything.

There will always be a reason for us to say no to God but something truly amazing happens when we say YES in spite of our fears and our discomforts.  We are able to see God do the amazing in our lives and the lives of those around us.

When we say yes to God our “BUT GOD I can’t” turns into “BUT GOD did …” 

 

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But God

When we take that step of faith and step outside of our comfort zone we are allowing God to use our life as a instrument for something great.  We are allowing ourselves to be a blessing to our family, our community, and to those in need.

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Our Stories:

What has God done for you when you said Yes and stepped outside of your comfort zone?

Claudia bravely shares and writes about her faith for the first time. Click here to read her story.

Hannah shares her testimony and the life hidden behind the picture perfect Instagram feed. Click here to read her story.

Jessica shares how the Lord is helping her step outside of herself and in spite of her social anxiety she is doing the difficult things to be an example to her son.  Click here to read her story.

Caroline and I share a similar story where God called us to leave our lucrative careers and stay at home.  Click here to read Caroline’s story and click here to read Misty’s story.

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For many of us, fear or doubt may come.  When in doubt, allow the words of God to be an encouragement to you.  You may feel unqualified BUT GOD is with you.  Be courageous and take that step of faith. Allow God to use your life to be a light into the life of another.

7 Scriptures to Encourage:

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,” Acts‬ ‭10:40‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50:20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We pray that you are encouragement to step beyond your comfort zone and pass your fears to do what God is calling you to do today.  The path will not always be clear or easy BUT GOD will lead the way.  Take courage and do it!  

Always,

 

Misty