Do you have a vision for ministry within the Kingdom of God? Maybe it’s something small, such as making a new friend and sharing Jesus with her. Maybe you feel led to start a small group in your home or a visitation ministry in your church. No matter what the call on your heart, I want to encourage you today to step out and just do it!
God has called each of us to do great things for His kingdom. In fact, He said we would do greater things than He did.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:12-14, NIV84).
With a promise like that, we should all be about the Lord’s business, yet many of us stay bogged down in fear and insecurity and what ifs?
What if it’s too hard?
What if I step out and it fails?
What if someone criticizes me?
What if I don’t get enough support?
It’s Time to Step Out
The Lord understands our fear, but He calls us out of it. We don’t have to be perfect or have it all together. In fact, if we did then we would receive all the glory. God delights in taking what is broken and making it beautiful and useful in His Kingdom.
Most of our what-ifs are driven by insecurity. For whatever reason, we don’t think we have what it takes, but God wants us to renew our minds in His truth and walk in the confidence that He will give us what it takes.
Satan, however, wants to keep us out of the will of God. Most of the time, if he can convince us that we’re not enough, we will be stuck there and never move forward.
I’m not popular enough.
I’m not smart enough.
I’m not good enough.
Or, I’m just not ready.
And Satan will use other people to convince us of these un-truths. They may be motivated by jealousy, pride, or their own insecurities. In fact, they may not even realize they are being used by the enemy, but their criticism keeps us focused on ourselves and our problems.
Jesus Is Enough
The Lord is saying, “Take your eyes off yourself. Stop worrying about what you don’t have or can’t do and focus on my love and my truth. I am enough.”
If we want to move forward with the Lord and fulfill His call to make disciples in these last days, it’s time to stand against the schemes of the devil. Take those negative thoughts captive and replace them with the Word of God.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to God” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Here’s what we should think about instead:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
You know what’s true? We are surrounded by people who need the love of Jesus in their lives. You know what’s noble and right? That we share Jesus with them. You know what’s pure and lovely? The sacrifice of Christ for their sins. You know what’s admirable? When we step out and minister to them. You know what’s excellent and praiseworthy? When they become disciples of Christ!
In our own thoughts and feelings, we will convince ourselves to wait, but we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). We have the Spirit of Christ. We have all that we need, because Christ is enough!
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
If you’re like me, maybe your hesitation is because you need to see the big picture, you need to have it all figured out, you need to know what this thing is supposed to look like.
The Time Is Short
Ever heard of Abraham? Or Moses? Or Joshua?
God is saying, “Just go and I’ll be with you.”
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
“For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:12).
Look around at the lost people, the needs, the world. The time is short.
We can’t waste time worrying about how it’s all going to work or if we have what it takes. I’m telling you, you have what it takes if you have Jesus.
What is God calling you to do for the Kingdom?
Stop looking at your inabilities. Stop worrying about what people think. Stop trying to figure it all out. Look to the Lord and trust Him with that first step.
You may feel that you’re not enough, but He is. Just step out and follow Jesus.