Thursday, July 8, 2010

leaving the familiar.

Sometimes there is not a "wrong" or "right answer" but simply one that is best for you; one that will ultimately help you reach your full potential.

"Don't ask yourself what the word needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because the world needs people who have come alive"  (Gil Bailie--as found in 'Wild at Heart')

This week I was thinking back to the almost three years that I've lived at the beach and what opportunities and trials that have come from it.
From this I began to think about Jesus in Luke 4 when He said "i tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his hometown" (Luke 4:24) I don't believe that it would have been impossible for Jesus to minister in his hometown; I also don't think ministering outside His hometown was a issue of "right" or "wrong" but rather of the best.

We don't know what would have happened if Jesus hadn't realized that He may not reach His full potential where He was; His life would have followed the same destiny but maybe He would have made as large and widespread of an impact.

What I'm NOT saying in this post:

1. No one can live in their hometown.
         I truely believe that some people are called to familiar land, because someone is called   there, right?

2. You won't reach your full potential around people you're familiar with.
        First of all, take what I say with a grain of salt because afterall I'm not a Guru of anything, I'm just a blogger. Secondly, every situation is different and every circumstance is different. (so the insights I've found may not ring true to you, or they may) Having said that, I've found over the past few years that when I left what and who was comfortable and familiar, I began to operate in giftings that I was shy or otherwise unaware of. I found that after the initial shock of moving to a place where I knew two people and was prone to getting lost in, I truly began to find out who I was and wrestled for my own salvation. So that I was not living on my parents, friends' or pastor's relationship with the Lord, but my own.  "... always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. (colossians 4:12)

3. Leaving the familiar is a piece of cake.
        If  ever there were a sentence that were B.S., that my friends would be it. Leaving was the most difficult decision I've had to make thus far. I knew two people in myrtle beach, didn't know my roommates, was beginning a new job and was going against the "will" of some people in my life.  (caution: leaving out of rebellion is wrong. believe me, i paid the consequences)  Leaving was painful, scary, difficult, alarming, etc etc. And on top of the frightfulness of it all, there were distractions EVERYWHERE. A job opportunity if I stayed (before I left), the possibility of a relationship back home (while I was at the beach), not having money for school to stay at the beach; and my favorite of all, people with good intentions who spoke to me about "what God was saying through them to me". 
I am ALL FOR seeking wise counsel, but not from every person you know. You trust your heart and ears to a few select who you feel are wise and hear from the Lord, but most importantly you stay on your face until you feel peace either way.

Someone once told me, right before the best comes along something that is "good" comes and we are tempted to think that's the best.

Today I just want you to be brave enough to pose the question to yourself:
 "is God asking me to step out of my comfort zone in some way?" (if not, ok then!)

If He is in what way?
It could be something as simple as setting aside money each month for someone who needs it, something radical like changing jobs or changing a relationship, or maybe it's something terrifying like leaving the familiar.

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?"

(Matthew 14:27-31)





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