I’ve come to a crossroads. This is my moment of truth. I am standing on high ground, looking at the purpose that God has called me to, but do I have the courage to actually take hold of it? You see, anything worth having requires a fight, and this is especially true when it comes to walking in the purposes of God.
I’ve realized that many of us turn back from walking in purpose because we reason that it’s not a good idea in our own minds. We think about all the ways that we can fail. We think about all the things that we don’t have. And we look at the danger that lies in the unknown.
Fear of the unknown can halt our walk of faith.
The perfect example of fear halting faith is found in Numbers chapters 13 and 14. In these chapters, we read about the time that the Lord told Moses to send 12 scouts to explore the promised land.
‘The Lord now said to Moses, “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.”’ (Numbers 13:1-2 NLT)
But when the scouts returned, most of them reasoned that they were not able to take possession of the land they were promised.
‘“But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge.”’ (Numbers 13:31-32 NLT)
In chapter 14, we read that God barred most of the Israelites from the promised land because they refused to believe in Him. But, I want to point out one important takeaway from this story…
According to Numbers 13:2, God had already decided to give them the land. So, the only reason that they never received their promise is because they chose to listen to their own reasoning, instead of the promise from God.
Our reasoning will never line up with God’s word.
Remember, His thoughts are nothing like our thoughts, so if we are looking for our minds to line up with the mind of God, we will fail every time.
'“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord . “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”’ (Isaiah 55:8 NLT)
If we are to see the promises of God, if we are to walk in the purpose that He has given us, we must choose to have faith in Him, regardless of what our minds tell us….regardless of what our minds can comprehend.
The battle that we must fight is in our minds.
We have to fight the battle of fear that we will inevitably face, as we seek to walk in faith. Because let’s be honest…we will experience fear. We will experience the fear of what may or may not happen. We will face the fear that we may not be up to the task. We will face the fear of not having everything that we need. But regardless of all of that, the journey of faith must continue.
Why?
Because there’s no time for fear.
As I’ve faced my own fear in this season of my life, I’ve come to a conclusion…I don’t have time to fear. I don’t have time to give up. I’ve come too far to turn back now. I have decided that I will walk by faith, regardless of how I may feel, because there is too much at stake.
In the book of Esther, we read about Queen Esther’s extraordinary faith when there was no time for fear.
Through her story, we read that there was a plot to destroy the Jews that were living in Persia following the Babylonian exile.
'He [Haman] had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes. ' (Esther 3:6 NLT)
When we continue to read Esther chapter 3, we learn that after Haman appealed to the King, a decree was issued to kill every Jew in the land on a specific date. But when Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, heard of the plot in chapter 14, we see that he pleaded with Esther to intervene.
'Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews. He asked Hathach to show it to Esther and explain the situation to her. He also asked Hathach to direct her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people. ' (Esther 4:8 NLT)
However, Esther feared for her life. She reasoned that it was too risky to go before the king.
‘Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai: “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.” ' (Esther 4:10-11 NLT)
After Mordecai received Esther’s response, he replied with this message…
'Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” ' (Esther 4:13-14 NLT)
Mordecai’s response to Esther was simple: she didn’t have time for fear…this was a matter of life or death. And this is the lens that I am choosing to view my position through.
I don’t have time to fear because this is a matter of life or death.
Either the plan of God will live through my obedience, or it will die through my fear.
You see, the plan that God has for me is much bigger than me. Who knows the multitude of people that will be affected by my yes, at this moment? And I’m not just thinking of the people that I don’t know, I’m thinking about my children, my husband, and others around me that have a chance to witness my faith….those who will get to witness the miracles of God.
This is much bigger than you.
I know that the call of God is daunting, but you don’t have time for fear. You don’t have time to turn your back on what God has called you to do. The call of God is much bigger than your life. Who knows that amount of people whose lives will be changed for the better because of your faith. And if that’s inconceivable, imagine how your child’s life will be changed. Imagine how your spouse's life will be changed. Imagine how your family and friend’s lives will be changed. And then, imagine how your own life will be changed.
Right now, you have an opportunity to make history. You have an opportunity to make an impact on the lives of people for generations to come. Please understand that I am not saying this for dramatic effect. I’m saying this because if God has called you to something, He has a purpose that’s beyond what you can understand.
Just think about it. Imagine the impact that your faith can have on one person's family. Imagine a mother being changed and the effect that that will have on her husband, her children, and her children’s children.
The plan of God is always bigger than us.
'“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” ' (Jeremiah 1:5 NLT)
No matter the plan that God has for our lives, we are called to be examples…to spread the word of God and what He has done in our lives.
I have seen first hand how obedience impacts those around us. Years ago, I was at another crossroads. I had to make a choice on whether to fight for my marriage, or give up. And at the time, my motivation was simple: I wanted to see my family whole again, and I wanted my children to know that a lasting and healthy marriage is possible.
Today, as I enjoy the beautiful marriage that the Lord has gifted to me, I have witnessed more impact than I thought was possible…
First, my children witnessed first hand the miracle working power of God. They’ve seen how the Lord heals, how He resurrects, and how He restores. They love the Lord with all their heart. They love to worship, talk about the Lord, and study their bibles. And my oldest, the one who witnessed the most, is a young man of God like I’ve never seen before. He is 13 now. He walks around the house listening to the word of God. He studies the bible with his friends, and he listens to worship music while he goes to sleep. His walk of faith amazes me everyday.
Second, I want to talk about the transformation that the Lord worked in my husband's heart. Not only is he now a God-fearing man, a man that’s always seeking to go deeper into the word of God, but he challenges everyone around him to go deeper as well.
And last but certainly not least, the Lord has given me opportunity after opportunity to spread what He has done in my life. Through this ministry and through conversations with friends, family, and co-workers, I have been blessed to be a conduit for the Lord working in the lives of more people than I will ever know. And the same will be true for you.
You have the opportunity to have an impact on more lives than you will ever know.
There are people searching for hope…and you are that hope. You are the answer to their problem. You are the Lord’s answer to their prayers. So you see, you don’t have time for fear. You don’t have time to give into your own thoughts, or your own imagination. God has already called you to this. And if you will agree with His calling, and have faith in His plan, your life will be changed. And that is just the beginning. When you choose faith over fear, you will experience the power of God in your own life, and you will be the reason that someone else gets to witness the power of God in their own lives.
Yes, this journey comes with the fear of walking into the unknown. But the God that called you is the same God that will protect you. He goes before you, and He will ensure that you are successful at everything He calls you to do. You don’t have to fear when you’re walking the path that He has for you. He will make a way. He will see you through.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for creating me. And thank you for crafting me for purpose. Today, I have been reminded that your purpose for my life goes far beyond me. Your plan for me includes a plan that affects the lives of more people than I will ever know. Thank you, Father, for trusting me with this. Thank you for trusting me with your vision. Thank you for trusting me with your plan. Today, I am deciding to lay my fears at the altar. I am deciding to set my apprehension aside, so that your will may be done in and through me. And I know that as I continue to walk in faith, you will protect me and enable me along the way. I love you, Father. In the name of Yeshua, the Messiah, I pray, amen.
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