We had a worship night for women last night at my church. Our women’s pastor brought a simple, yet profound word, as she conveyed real examples from her own life to share what the Lord had placed upon her heart for us. The following is what I gleaned from our time together.
Fear and obstacles that stand before us, are the two greatest factors that hold us back from the fullness of all that God has for us. Typically, we are held back in one of two ways. We either refuse to even get out of the boat, despite seeing Jesus walking toward us upon the water through the wind and waves, or we get out of the boat, begin walking, and then suddenly see the wind and waves surrounding us and begin to sink. Either way, we miss out on the miracles our Maker has for us, as we are called to weather the storms, not simply wait for them to pass.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. – (James 1:2, NLT)
As we continue to keep walking toward our Savior, despite the wind and the waves – our fears and the obstacles before us – we allow Him opportunity to move mightily in us and through us, and discover joys we would have never known on the journey, because of His great faithfulness to us.
So how the heck do we do this? The words Pastor Wendy heard were simple, yet so significant. Live Life. Live. Continue pressing in and pressing on, in spite of the fears and the obstacles. Do not limit the Lord, nor make Him too small. He can do exceedingly more than we could hope or imagine, and the joy that awaits us is unfathomable. Our charge is to be available and to move forward in all that He calls us into. We are not meant to be stuck in the boat in fear, nor sinking in the waves as terror overtakes us. May we look to the Lord and consider all trials opportunities for His joy, as He will do abundantly more in us and through us as we choose to keep pressing forward.
We must make the choice,
To embrace with joy;
All that comes our way,
Choose faith to employ.
From inside the boat,
We never will know;
How great His power,
Nor give room to grow.
Despite what we face,
The waves and the wind;
The Lord is right there,
To lift us again.
He walks right beside,
Each step of our way;
Provides what we need,
Enough for each day.
The challenging part,
Is we’ll never know;
All that lies ahead,
If we will not go.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You take our fears and trials and use them as opportunities to grow us and give us greater joy as You demonstrate Your love and care for us as we choose to keep walking forward in spite of what lies before us. Forgive us for allowing fears or obstacles to paralyze us where we are, and keep us from allowing You access to all. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would consider even the trials opportunities for great joy, as You give grace and strength that we have not known before. Show us how to love others in such a way, that they see You through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize trials and obstacles as opportunities for great joy because of who You are. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. – Galatians 5:25
Revelations In Writing 
Wow! That must have been one moving service. Love this encouragement: “Continue pressing in and pressing on, in spite of the fears and the obstacles.” Thanks for sharing. BTW is your physical junk going away? Are you back to normal with your activities and coaching?
It was indeed. I am still processing. 🙂 I am on the mend, but not there yet… I was just released to begin running short distances again, so certainly a step in the right direction. Thank you.