Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Are you reluctant? Do you feel pulled by God to do something, say something, or let something go? You are hesitant to move because it is hard, not what you saw for your life or afraid of what others will think. God is calling you to battle. You may feel surrounded by uncertainty, disapproval, and judgement. In reality, you are surrounded by Him. You are surrounded by His love, His blessing and His guidance.
What does reluctance look like? Reluctance looks like questioning. You question if you heard God right. You question the timing. Reluctance looks like fear. You fear doing it wrong. You fear making someone mad, losing everything, or financial woes. Reluctance looks like caution. You will move slow or wait. You will do half of what God asked of you and see if that part works out. Reluctance looks like doubt. It is doubting that your Father knows best.
The enemy wants you to be a reluctant Christian. He doesn’t want you to recognize the power of your Father. He wants you to question what God calls you to do. Because the more you listen and follow through on what God asks of you, the more God will use you and the more impact you will have with your family, your friends, and your town. The enemy wants you to believe he has you surrounded. That is just an illusion. He keeps that illusion going by bombarding you with negative thoughts. He tries to show you how things didn’t work out before. He whispers, “Who do you think you are? God wouldn’t possibly use you. Why you?”
The best way to fight the enemy is to serve God without question. Stand firm and fight the battle. Serve without trying to see or control the outcome. Your task is simply to do. He calls and you move. He whispers and you say, “thy will.” To serve means to do without thinking of yourself. Leave all in God’s hands. As you serve you are fighting battles you can’t even see. You are helping to fight other people’s battles and you are fighting your own. Every time you move and move with love, you are helping to win a battle. Keep an eye on the end goal, to show others God’s unfailing love.
Be all in! Arm yourself in the morning with prayer. Stay alert for battle by spending time with your Father throughout the day. Ready yourself by surrounding yourself with an army of others who are working for His good. Rest and refresh when needed. Rest in His presence. Refresh with the word of God. Push through your reluctance. Each time you face reluctance and move forward you are building confidence. You are building resilience. Each time you obey His call your senses will become heightened. You will become more in tune with your Father. When you move and when you serve God and others, you drown out the enemy’s constant noise. It isn't for you to decide when to serve or who to serve. Just serve!
Stretch yourself. Rise! Hear His call, fight the battle and serve boldly! You are not alone. He is wherever you are.
Prayer
Father God,
Thank you for calling me to battle. Thank you for pulling me closer to You. Thank you for surrounding me with an army of friends and family that come to battle with me. Forgive me for my reluctance. Forgive me when you call and I question you. You call me to serve and I am to serve with an open heart and open mind with no questions asked. It isn’t my job to say this will never work. It isn't for me to question who you call me to serve. My job is to put all in your hands and trust. Help me to replace my expectations, plans and dreams with yours. Help me to go to battle and serve without reluctance.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Comments