DAY 10: Be Bold Or Go Home

Have you ever felt unqualified? I mean, especially when it comes to the things of God, have you ever doubted that God knew fully what he was doing by asking you to be a part. Surely God has made a mistake because you're not this enough or that enough, right? You know your own self--your past and your present, your fears and your triumphs. In fact, I often think about Moses and how much he felt like he was unqualified to be used of God. He told God that his stuttering would hinder his ability to lead the people. But God was greater than Moses' weakness just as much as he is bigger than our varied INSECURITIES.

There are times when we spend so much time downplaying what God is doing in and through us that we begin to undermine our own (and others') confidence in the power of God. As the Lord speaks through us, we've gotten into the habit of being "politically" and "religiously" correct and not saying those words "Thus says the Lord" because we know that so many people have misused the term and we don't want to be wrongly classified. We downplay ourselves almost to a fault--putting on false humility in lieu of true boldness in the work and words of God.

We diminish our power in Christ by not acknowledging that it is truly Him at work in and through us. But the scripture gives us instruction to be "bold as lions" (Proverbs 28:1). God's word reminds us that "Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold." (2 Corinthians 3:12). And finally, we forget that we should be able to shed our insecurities and walk in boldness and confidence because we "can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens" us (Philippians 4:13).

Today it's time to take that courage back. Some of you reading this have decisions to make and have been timidly approaching making a choice. Stop beating around the bush and just do it. Do not compare yourself to other people and what you see them doing and saying. Operate in your own gifts for this season. Flow out of the passions that God has given you. You are enough and uniquely equipped to do what He said. Trust Him to bring assurance where your confidence has waned through the years. Do not allow insecurities--the possibilities for failure and fears--to impede your ability to serve God with abandon and confidence. Knowing that our confidence is not in ourselves but in the power that Christ has given us, we can walk encouraged to speak clearly and with authority, to behave with strength and decisiveness.

My prayer today, Lord: I will give You thanks with all my heart; I

 will sing praises to You before the gods. I will bow down toward Your holy temple 

and give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; 

For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. 

On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. 

(Psalm 138:1-4)

Blessings,

Pastor Andrea