The mission that God has for your life is way bigger than you thought... But guess what? He gives you everything you need emotionally, physically, financially, and circumstantially to be able to accomplish all that He asks of you.
At the beginning of this year God gave me a new mission, and a new call (Writing this blog). I was fearful and joyful and jumped in with both feet, even though I had no idea what I was doing, and at the time was struggling BIG TIME. Over the past 8 months He has brought me through some amazing and terrifying things; but through this has grown me into someone stronger and more able than I was.
My "Peter" story, where God "called me out upon the waters" is because of a passion that God gave me to help people who have been or are still in violent situations. Because of what I have experienced in my past through the domestic violence that I endured, and the story God gave me when He helped me escape, He has developed compassion and knowledge within me so that i can help others. That is what this whole blog is about, that is my mission. But it has not been easy, and neither was Peter's story.
Jesus was up praying all night, and his disciples were out on a boat far from the shore and they were in trouble. The weather was bad and they were fighting to get back to shore. But then Jesus came to them and walked out on the water to them, when they really needed Him!
At the beginning of this year God gave me a new mission, and a new call (Writing this blog). I was fearful and joyful and jumped in with both feet, even though I had no idea what I was doing, and at the time was struggling BIG TIME. Over the past 8 months He has brought me through some amazing and terrifying things; but through this has grown me into someone stronger and more able than I was.
My "Peter" story, where God "called me out upon the waters" is because of a passion that God gave me to help people who have been or are still in violent situations. Because of what I have experienced in my past through the domestic violence that I endured, and the story God gave me when He helped me escape, He has developed compassion and knowledge within me so that i can help others. That is what this whole blog is about, that is my mission. But it has not been easy, and neither was Peter's story.
Jesus was up praying all night, and his disciples were out on a boat far from the shore and they were in trouble. The weather was bad and they were fighting to get back to shore. But then Jesus came to them and walked out on the water to them, when they really needed Him!
About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost! But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!" Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. Matthew 14:25-29 NLT
Peter loved Jesus, so very much, and He had seen first hand the miracles that Jesus had done. He knew what Jesus was capable of, He knew that Jesus could make all the bad weather disappear and that Jesus would keep Peter safe. He knew all of that, and He was able to walk on the water with Jesus when he stayed focused upon Jesus. Can you imagine just stepping over the side of a boat and looking at Jesus and walking toward Him!? We may not do exactly that in our lives, but we do have those times when Jesus calls us out to come toward Him. For me, most of the time when He calls to me I say "yes! I am super psyched! Lets go!" and I start out like Peter totally focused upon Jesus and what He is doing with me.
But as soon as I say yes to Jesus, adversity comes because Satan is there listening (always) and He believes that He knows how to knock us down. He knows that if He can remove our focus off of Jesus and onto anything else that the chances of us completing the task that Jesus gave are slimmer. And if the call is something huge, Satan will totally slam you from every angle! This is what happened to Peter too.
But as soon as I say yes to Jesus, adversity comes because Satan is there listening (always) and He believes that He knows how to knock us down. He knows that if He can remove our focus off of Jesus and onto anything else that the chances of us completing the task that Jesus gave are slimmer. And if the call is something huge, Satan will totally slam you from every angle! This is what happened to Peter too.
But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:30-31 NLT
I have been terrified! I've been literally stopped in my tracks, sitting in a closet trying not to have the sound of my breathing heard by my attacker. I've been scared out of my mind sitting, knowing that at any time I could be hurt, and sometimes I was hurt. I have had my focus shifted by things that could actually kill me, and things that just shook my world a little bit. But any and all of these are examples of Satan desperately trying to shift your focus.
The awesome thing is that you have the power to say "NO! I will not be distracted by what is happening around me or to me. I am going to keep my eyes on Jesus!" I know, it seems impossible sometimes, but I promise that as soon as you say that to yourself that your strength and endurance will become new! You have to be willing to stand up to Satan and tell him off. You have to say "Satan, you are a coward, a wimp, a thief, and you will not distract me from Jesus. Flee from me in the name of Jesus! Amen!" When you do say that, He has to leave, because whenever you call upon the name of the Lord, he comes to your rescue. He is there to deliver you from your trouble!
The awesome thing is that you have the power to say "NO! I will not be distracted by what is happening around me or to me. I am going to keep my eyes on Jesus!" I know, it seems impossible sometimes, but I promise that as soon as you say that to yourself that your strength and endurance will become new! You have to be willing to stand up to Satan and tell him off. You have to say "Satan, you are a coward, a wimp, a thief, and you will not distract me from Jesus. Flee from me in the name of Jesus! Amen!" When you do say that, He has to leave, because whenever you call upon the name of the Lord, he comes to your rescue. He is there to deliver you from your trouble!
When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. Matthew 14:32-33 NLT
Did you catch that? As soon as Jesus and Peter got into the boat, Jesus caused the storm to stop! He saved all of them from this torrential storm that was upon them. Because that is who Jesus is! He is our rescuer. You may be saying to yourself, "Jesus will not rescue me, I've done _______!" but it doesn't matter. If you are willing to ask Jesus to forgive you, and to change, and to follow Him, He will come to your rescue and he will cause Satan's distraction to be thwarted!
Right now I am in the midst of a storm where I am being hit from all sides. I am standing under a torrential downpour! But my God is way bigger than every angle that Satan is trying to hit me from. Because God's plan, and call for me to accomplish, is so much more important. I know that if I can keep my eyes on Jesus not only will I make it through, but I will be blessed because of it!
Even though I am facing many trials at the same time, my call is to: love on others and be Jesus to them... even when it hurts! I can tell you, right now it hurts a lot and it is not easy or fun to be loving toward people who don't want me around. But even though the trials keep coming I am going to choose to fix my eyes on Jesus, and be part of the Bigger Better plan that He has for me!
Right now I am in the midst of a storm where I am being hit from all sides. I am standing under a torrential downpour! But my God is way bigger than every angle that Satan is trying to hit me from. Because God's plan, and call for me to accomplish, is so much more important. I know that if I can keep my eyes on Jesus not only will I make it through, but I will be blessed because of it!
Even though I am facing many trials at the same time, my call is to: love on others and be Jesus to them... even when it hurts! I can tell you, right now it hurts a lot and it is not easy or fun to be loving toward people who don't want me around. But even though the trials keep coming I am going to choose to fix my eyes on Jesus, and be part of the Bigger Better plan that He has for me!
So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT
Father God I thank you for traveling along with me through so very many things that have been painful and hard to handle. Thank you that even now when I am surrounded by trials on every side that you are with me, fighting for me; you're making me safe and filling me with unspeakable JOY! Father you carry me through (Psalm 68:19)! Help me to fix my eyes upon you, and to steadily walk with you each day. I know that you have great plans for me, and for everyone reading this blog post. I pray that you would use it for your glory Father! I trust you with my whole life, and I surrender it now. I pray all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.