May 31st

May 31st      

God does not wait until you are perfect to use you in His plan. He also does not wait for you to feel ready or feel worthy before He asks you to do something. Bottomline is that He doesn’t need us to FEEL, He just needs us to trust.

Do you trust the Creator of the Universe? Do you trust the One who parted the Red Sea, rose from the dead and raises the dead, walked on water and calms the waves, heals the blind and sick, fed thousands from 5 loaves and 2 fish, and created you and keeps His loving eye on you?

Although it is hard to wrap our human minds around His complex plan, and although it is hard for us to imagine how in the world the intricacies of our lives and personalities could play an important role in His plan, it is simple and easy for Him. He made the plan with all of our days and quirks woven into it, with all of our choices and mess ups covered by His grace and woven in it; and rather than waste anything, He uses those things for good.

Time to quit worrying about feeling ready or worthy. Time to trust. Time to step out in faith.

Time to see God’s plan through His eyes. Time to see yourself through His eyes. Time to prayerfully get out of the boat.

Matthew 14:22-33 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

We get to step out of the boat into the arms of Jesus! He did not ask Peter to step out on his own by himself. He asked Peter to join Him on the waves. This is what He is calling us to as well! He is calling us to step out in faith to walk WITH HIM! It is all by grace and through the work and power of the Holy Spirit for His own purpose and grace, all of which were determined and given to us before time began. 

2 Timothy 2:9-10 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Jesus thank you for calling me. Help me to remember that it is not about whether I feel ready or worthy. Help me to trust you. I believe but help my unbelief. Help me to keep my eyes on you and remember that your capable hands are holding me. Thank you for including me in your plan, help me to step out in faith.