Don't mistake the title of this devotion to be one founded in the heart of someone who has the courage of a lion. If I am anything like any lion, it would be the cowardly one in the “Wizard of Oz.”
All my life, I can remember being afraid. It doesn't seem to matter how minor or silly the situation, most likely I was going to be scared of it. If you promise not to laugh, (not that I'll ever know), I will share some of those fears with you.
(In no particular order)
1.Dogs: It didn't matter what size the dog was, I had a love/hate relationship with them. I loved puppies, and always wanted a dog. I wanted that dog and master relationship with man's best friend like I saw on t.v. The problem was, even when the dog was mine, I was always slightly afraid of the animal turning on me. Perhaps the problem stems back to a neighbor who had a ferocious beast they said was a dog, and said beast would chase me if it caught me in the area between yards.
2.Gathering Candy at Parades: Soooo stupid, this one. I don't have a clue why, but I was never comfortable running out to get candy like all the other kids across America do at every parade ever marched. Dumb, I know.
3.Singing in Public: This one most people will identify with, but it's funny that this was one of my biggest fears in life, and yet, the road God has called me to travel in service to Him. We'll talk more about the irony of this later.
4.Speaking Out Loud: I'm not talking about giving speeches. I'm actually talking about just... well... talking. Throughout my school and church experiences as a child, it was very difficult for me to open my mouth and speak up when questions were asked. Even when I was sure of the answers, there was this unexplainable fear of ''what if I'm wrong?”. Why? I don't know. That's one answer I am sure I don't know.
5.Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Yes, virtually any form of transportation, I am uncomfortable with. I prefer not to drive. I am extremely cautious when behind the wheel, and I don't enjoy driving like a lot of people. In fact, I waited until I was 21 to even get my license, and even then, it was a have-to situation.
Oh, there's more. There are a lot of things I could go on and on about, and perhaps over the course of the devotional, they will come up as a result of the scripture readings. For now, these examples, silly though they may be, will have to suffice to show the reader (you) that I am sufficiently afraid enough to be called a genuine “coward”.
The problem with being a coward, is that we're not supposed to live our lives in fear. Romans 8:15 tells us, “God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father.” (Common English Version) In fact, we're not supposed to fear anything. Over and over again, the Lord tells us not to be afraid. He tells us to “be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9). Throughout history, God has called His people to different tasks. Some He has called to be prophets. I'm sure that in that group somewhere, some of those called were afraid of public speaking. Others He has called to be prayer warriors, when most likely, they had no idea how to go about talking to God. Some of us He has called to be lead worshippers, even those of us who have never felt quite good enough.
The journey we're going to take throughout the course of devotions here at Faith Sisters is going to show us how much we are like some of the great founders of our faith. They too were afraid, but chose to trust God and obey His call. We're going to study those that stepped out in faith, and through God's greatness, achieved great things. Along the way, I'm sure we'll see ourselves mirrored in these people, and perhaps just learning about those who have gone before, we'll find ourselves trusting a little more, and trembling in fear a lot less.
All my life, I can remember being afraid. It doesn't seem to matter how minor or silly the situation, most likely I was going to be scared of it. If you promise not to laugh, (not that I'll ever know), I will share some of those fears with you.
(In no particular order)
1.Dogs: It didn't matter what size the dog was, I had a love/hate relationship with them. I loved puppies, and always wanted a dog. I wanted that dog and master relationship with man's best friend like I saw on t.v. The problem was, even when the dog was mine, I was always slightly afraid of the animal turning on me. Perhaps the problem stems back to a neighbor who had a ferocious beast they said was a dog, and said beast would chase me if it caught me in the area between yards.
2.Gathering Candy at Parades: Soooo stupid, this one. I don't have a clue why, but I was never comfortable running out to get candy like all the other kids across America do at every parade ever marched. Dumb, I know.
3.Singing in Public: This one most people will identify with, but it's funny that this was one of my biggest fears in life, and yet, the road God has called me to travel in service to Him. We'll talk more about the irony of this later.
4.Speaking Out Loud: I'm not talking about giving speeches. I'm actually talking about just... well... talking. Throughout my school and church experiences as a child, it was very difficult for me to open my mouth and speak up when questions were asked. Even when I was sure of the answers, there was this unexplainable fear of ''what if I'm wrong?”. Why? I don't know. That's one answer I am sure I don't know.
5.Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Yes, virtually any form of transportation, I am uncomfortable with. I prefer not to drive. I am extremely cautious when behind the wheel, and I don't enjoy driving like a lot of people. In fact, I waited until I was 21 to even get my license, and even then, it was a have-to situation.
Oh, there's more. There are a lot of things I could go on and on about, and perhaps over the course of the devotional, they will come up as a result of the scripture readings. For now, these examples, silly though they may be, will have to suffice to show the reader (you) that I am sufficiently afraid enough to be called a genuine “coward”.
The problem with being a coward, is that we're not supposed to live our lives in fear. Romans 8:15 tells us, “God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father.” (Common English Version) In fact, we're not supposed to fear anything. Over and over again, the Lord tells us not to be afraid. He tells us to “be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9). Throughout history, God has called His people to different tasks. Some He has called to be prophets. I'm sure that in that group somewhere, some of those called were afraid of public speaking. Others He has called to be prayer warriors, when most likely, they had no idea how to go about talking to God. Some of us He has called to be lead worshippers, even those of us who have never felt quite good enough.
The journey we're going to take throughout the course of devotions here at Faith Sisters is going to show us how much we are like some of the great founders of our faith. They too were afraid, but chose to trust God and obey His call. We're going to study those that stepped out in faith, and through God's greatness, achieved great things. Along the way, I'm sure we'll see ourselves mirrored in these people, and perhaps just learning about those who have gone before, we'll find ourselves trusting a little more, and trembling in fear a lot less.
3 comments:
Love this and can't wait to see more to come!
This sounds great!
Looking forward to what comes next!
Bernie x
This is exactly what I am trying to deal with. Have gained and lost ground for many years and am back to square one it seems. I am looking forward to the devotions
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