If you could do anything in this world what would it be? I know a lot of you at work daydream about this very question. My question to you today is “What is holding you back”? Is it money, security, afraid to fail or all of the above?
Psalm 20:4 “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
This sounds great but most of us do not know the desire of our heart. But what if you did know the desire of your heart? Then this would happen.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
If you pray for God to reveal to you the desire of your heart He will make your plans succeed. God is not out to harm you but to give you hope and a future. What a wonderful promise. So why are most of us miserable in what we do each day? It is because we keep one foot in the boat and one foot in the water. You will never be able to walk on water like Peter until you take both feet out of the boat. Scary – Yes but it needs to happen to live a reckless Spirit filled life for the Lord.
I have a friend that called me last night. I have known him for many years and he has been struggling like most folks in his business with uncertainty. He was also questioning “Is this what the Lord wants me to do”. Well, he just came back from a trip where he was helping train people and teaching them but spending almost all of his money to do it. But in his voice I heard a new person speaking. This man now had a purpose and happiness that I had not heard from him before. I also have known from experience that this man is a giver. Not only of money but also of his time and resources. He is a great example to me of someone who gives without expecting ANYTHING in return. A lot of you are like that when you give to our ministry. I can’t give you anything worldly back because I don’t have anything worldly. But what I do have is hope, not in me but in Jesus. It was contagious listening to the joy and hope in his voice. I am looking forward to seeing what the next stage of his life will be. God has used all his past experiences for this new challenge. Are you now thinking the same thing?
But the key things for his joy is that he is not doing it for the money. He is doing it because it is helping people; it is putting a smile on other people’s faces and giving them hope when they are down.
In the above verses we know that God will prosper us when we step out in faith in His will. Through prayer and wise counsel you can make the jump too. This life is not a trial run for something else. If you are playing it safe and not getting out of your comfort zone then you are not using the talents that God has given you. In the parable of the talents the person who does not use their talents will have their talents taken away from them and your talent will be given to someone else. But God also promises to prosper you when you step out and do the desire of your heart.
Don’t play the martyr and be miserable your entire life. Jesus died so that you could not only have hope for a future in heaven but that you could have joy now if you change your circumstances. Some of you are holding onto something because it feels secure when in reality it is an albatross around your neck. If you want to have joy and make a difference at the same time please pray this prayer with me.
“Lord, I am tired of feeling alone and discouraged. I want to make a change to do ___________ but I am afraid. Please Lord help me to take both feet out of the boat in your wisdom, power and glory and set my feet upon a path of joy and not despair. Help me to finally LIVE and stop existing. Lord even today please put people, things and your Holy Spirit in my path to give me signs on what steps to take. I know my heart will not be joyful until I am ready to give instead of receive. Help me to see what that looks like in my lfe. I love you Lord, Thank you for saving and protecting me.” Amen
The day is not done and you can make a difference in the lives of others through the power of Jesus. If you do not do it in the power of Jesus you will eventually burn out. I know you want a full life. Pray today for this process to start in motion then step back and watch God at work. He will NEVER fail YOU.
Have a great day and expect the miracles of the heavens to come to your doorstep.
Brad
