This question has been on my heart a lot lately. I feel as if I spent a good deal of my life being afraid. Not for any really good reason, but I simply enjoyed my comfort zone and didn't want to leave it. It terrified me to think of the unknown; worry was constantly my companion. But here's the thing....
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:18&19.
Live Loved, and your Fears will Starve.
When you realize Christ's relentless love for you, when you realize how passionately His grace pursues you, fearlessness arises. This is how culture changes, how disciples are made, how the gospel gets proclaimed boldly. Through love we are free to really live, recklessly open to anything God has for us. We can have close friendships, learn constantly, seek adventures, and make plans that we never thought possible.
This has been my life recently. God has given me overwhelming joy through the people He's put in my life here these closing weeks of Ecola. He's also completely changed my plans. Two weeks ago, I would've told you I'd be staying at Cannon Beach, living with one of my dearest friends, and working at a decent job. Very much my comfort zone. That all changed in the matter of a week. I'm now going to be working at Crista Camps this summer, working with and investing in middle schoolers. To my old self this is so far out of my comfort zone it's hard to describe. Having that much of an influence, being in a place I've never been, surrounded by kiddos...I feel so inadequate. But you know what's crazy? I'm not the least bit anxious. God has filled my heart with peace and thrillful anticipation at this opportunity. This is what I'm called to this summer, and I believe God is going to use this to teach me, prepare me for Second Year at Ecola, and use me to show campers the love of Christ.
This brings us back to the original point: What would you do if you weren't afraid? If you were to live without abandon for your Heavenly King, what would that look like?
The truth is, this is the freedom you are called to. Ours is a faith free of boundaries, for our God has none. So do what scares you. Live life abundantly, and let grace lead you to do things you never felt capable of. Don't put God in a box by putting your abilities in one. Patiently let Him work in you and form you into the person you were designed by Him to be.
That's all folks.
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