What are you waiting for? Just get started.
For each and every one of you reading this, thank you! You are a testimony to God’s faithfulness in my life. Let me explain.
In May of 1996, I received my first email from a lady struggling with panic attacks. The subject of the email read: “I would like to talk about panic disorder”. I had just posted my story on the Internet, and a few people started writing to me. They wanted to talk with me about what I was going through.
At that point in my life, the anxiety, panic and sleepless nights were at an all-time high. It was very difficult for me to drive or be alone. Going to bed at nights was especially a challenge.
But, I shared my story anyway. I didn’t want to, especially since I was still battling the fear at time. It was a deep struggle within my soul. “But, I’m not free yet. No one will listen to me. Maybe I should wait for the right time, the perfect opportunity to share my story.”
I wanted to wait. I wanted to hold back and only start this endeavor after everything was in place, after I was totally free, after the testimony in my life was strong and founded. But, I pressed on in faith. Things began to grow. The Season of Peace was birthed. Today, that single testimony on the Internet has grown into a full, non-profit Internet-based ministry. That one single correspondence in 1996 has grown to over a thousand weekly subscribers today.
If I had waited for that perfect moment, that right time, that opportune season to share my story, I would still be waiting. There would be no weekly message, no devotional being published, no Internet ministry, no website, nothing. Today, I’m free. Today, fear no longer has any control over my life. Panic attacks are a thing of the past. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).
Let me ask you. Are you waiting for that perfect opportunity to go back to school, start a family, write a book, change careers, compose a song, start a business? What exactly are you waiting for? Don’t let fear keep you from experiencing all that God has for you. Don’t let the risk of failure keep you from risking at all.
It’s a lot like receiving Christ into your heart. If you were to wait until your life is perfect, holy and sinless before you invited Jesus into your life, then you would still be waiting on your deathbed, for it is Christ within us that makes us perfect, holy and sinless. God says to you, “Choose today whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
Today, ask your Father for the strength and endurance to step out into what he is calling you to do. Start with something small, and let him bring it to life. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10a).
Prayer: Father, give me your strength today in Christ, the strength that empowers to walk in victory and freedom, for I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
plans for the new year
This week, we start a new year. It’s often a time when people set goals, make resolutions, establish plans and take new steps for change in their lives.
During this time, I like to set aside a few days to fast and pray so that I can seek God for a vision or strategy for the year. “What’s my focus this year? What do I need to press into, Lord?” Interestingly, God always gives me a scripture for the new year, and that scripture very clearly directs my steps throughout the year. Once I know what the scripture is, I put it at the top of my journal in bold and large font. That way, when I open up my electronic journal in the morning, it’s the first thing I see all year long.
I want to encourage you to seek God and let him give you a vision for the new year. To demonstrate this, let me share with you the scriptures that the Lord gave me at the beginning of the past four years.
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In 2005, it was imply “Here am I. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). 2005 was a very exciting time for my family and me. I resigned my cushy, corporate job, and started my own media production company. It was a step of faith, but I was ready to be sent. Very exciting!
In 2006, my scripture was “Run towards the goal with purpose in every step” (1 Corinthians 9:26). At the beginning of 2006, I set a new goal of producing a feature film. Amazingly, by the end of 2006, I received all of the funding to make the movie.
In 2007, my scripture was “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down” (Hebrews 12:1). With the funding for our feature film in place, it was now time to run. But to run efficiently, I had to strip off every weight that was hindering me. 2007 was a very busy, but cleansing year for me.
For 2008, my scripture has been “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight” (Isaiah 45:2). This year has been a year of preparation for my family and me. I’m still not sure what for, but as I press into God over the next weeks for 2009, I know that he will give me clarity and direction. I am giddy with excitement about what this new year holds for our family.
I know in my heart that the Lord wanted me to share these scriptures with you to encourage you to seek him. He has such great plans for you: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
The Lord has wonderful, great plans for you this year. Take some time to listen and hear what those plans are.
Prayer: Father, I commit these next few weeks to you. Help me put aside any physical, emotional or mental distractions so that I can draw closer to you, and hear your plans for me this year.
going exercisin’
“Daddy?” asked Caleb. “Can we go exercisin’?”
I like to run after work, and there are times when I get home, throw on some jogging clothes and go for a quick run around the block. Most of the time Caleb would ask, “Daddy, are you going exercisin’?” I’d respond, “Yes.”
A few years ago, Caleb wanted to go running. He donned his jogging shorts, a Barney tee shirt and his running shoes. “Let’s go, Daddy!” He was ready to run around the block.
At four years old, his style of running was “unperfected”. He was weaving and stumbling occasionally. But, he was exercising.
As we ran, I’d let him take the lead, and I followed closely behind. When he ran, he would often turn his head to see where I was. In doing so, he would stray off the sidewalk onto someone’s yard, nearly missing a mailbox or a parked car.
As we stopped during one of our frequent breaks, I told Caleb that he should always look forward when he was running. I explained that looking back would cause him to slow down and stray off course.
So, we did a running drill. I told to look at a lamppost off in the distance. “Now, focus on that lamppost. It’s your goal. Don’t look back to see how I’m doing. Just focus on the lamppost.” He agreed, “Okay Daddy.”
With his elbows swinging and his little legs chugging along, he ran straight for the lamppost. Even when I talked to him as he ran, he wouldn’t turn back and look. He ran straight for the lamppost, and a tad bit faster, I might add.
The lesson Caleb learned yesterday is a lesson for us as well. When running this race called life, we should not look back. Whether it’s a haunting past or a chance to eye the competition, looking back can be dangerous. In focusing on our past, we lose sight of the Goal. Looking back slows us down and can stray us dangerously off course. Rather, we should keep our eyes on the lamppost.
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1b-3).
Prayer: Lord, help me keep me eyes on the goal. Guard my heart from distractions and the anything that would throw me off course.
hopes and dreams
When it comes to hopes and dreams, I love the story of Joseph. He had 10 older brothers and one younger brother. His older brothers were jealous of Joseph, because he was dad’s favorite son.
One night, Joseph had a dream where he saw 11 stacks of wheat bowing down to his stack. And, in a second dream, he saw the sun, moon and 11 stars bowing down to him as well. As Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers, they became even more jealous. “Are we going to serve you little brother?”
Joseph’s dad sent him out one day to check on his brothers. As he approached them, his jealous brothers decided to kill him. But when he arrived, they bound him and threw him into a pit. The next day, the oldest brother talked them out of killing him, and instead, they sold Joseph to some passing traders for 30 pieces of silver.
Joseph spent the next 20 years in prison. Shackled and bound with chains, Joseph served as a slave. Why? Because he shared his dreams.
How many of you have hopes and dreams–things you want to accomplish in your life? Do you feel like you’ve been thrown into a pit of discouragement and despair, only then to be dragged off to a prison of fear where you are bound and shackled–completely limited in the things you can do?
While Joseph was in prison, things began to happen. He found favor with his captors. God was working in Joseph’s life, and through the years, he was elevated in position and authority. Finally, after 20 years in prison, he became second in command over all of Egypt.
Due to a massive famine in the land, predicted by Joseph, his brothers came to Egypt seeking food. But, they didn’t recognize their younger brother. They bowed down to him pleading for food to eat. Joseph’s dream had come to pass.
“[God] called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them–Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true” (Psalms 105:16-19).
Joseph had lots of things to be angry about. He could have fallen deep into despair and depression, because it seemed that his hopes and dreams had been thwarted. Yet, he remained faithful to God, serving him and trusting him, even though he didn’t know why he was in prison and suffering at the hands of the Egyptians. Yet, when his brothers came to him, Joseph said, “What you meant for evil, God has used it for good, to save your lives” (Genesis 50:20).
I don’t know why we go through the fear and anxiety we do. There are probably lots of different reasons why. But, I know that it’s not what we are meant to experience. Yet, God can use it for our good. He can bring those hopes and dreams to life in ways that we may not understand or even agree with. God works in mysterious ways.
I have done so much with my life in the past few years because of the peace God has given me. For the first time in my life, my hopes and dreams are becoming reality. And in your life, I know that God can do that same. I am sure of it.
Prayer: Father, help us to rekindle those hopes and dreams you have birthed in our heart. Give us the strength we need to walk out those dreams. Guide us with your presence through your Holy Spirit.
head start
Two weeks after graduating from college, I moved away from home to start my new career. I was young. I was excited. I was also very alone.
To add some life to my lonely days, I decided to buy a puppy. I’ve enjoyed being around dogs ever since I was a kid. I knew that having this new pet would help break the monotony of solitude.
Keesha was a playful puppy, and our favorite game was called “Find Harold.” Harold was a small, stuffed teddy bear that she cherished.
To start the game, I covered Keesha’s eyes and threw Harold across the room. Then I would release my hand from her eyes and shout, “Find Harold!” Her eyes would dart back and forth, then she would pounce around the room trying to find Harold.
Most of the time she was successful, but there were times when she just couldn’t find him. She would run back to me with this pitiful “help me” look on her face. So, I would grab her head and set her in the direction of Harold. I held her head firm until I could feel her excitement as she spotted Harold. Then off she leapt to retrieve her treasured toy.
In many ways, I feel like God wants to hold our heads and set our hearts toward his kingdom–a kingdom full of peace and purpose. Excitement fills our hearts as we begin to see where we are to run. Then, in his timing, he releases us to run toward our calling and purpose.
“Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:29-31).
Today, I encourage you to run to God. Let him lovingly take your head, your mind into his hands. Let him point you in the direction where you are to run. When you begin to see a future full of hope and peace, excitement will fill your heart.
Prayer: Father, I long to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness. Take my spirit in your loving hands and point me in the direction you would have me go. Then, when I am ready to run, release me to my calling that I may draw closer to you and experience all the blessings you have in store for me.
the living Word
It’s early Sunday morning as I write this, and it’s still dark outside. I can hear the rain pounding on our roof. Lightening strikes off in the distance. The flash illuminates the room for a brief second. I wait. I listen. The booming thunder soon follows. As the rain trickles off the roof, I am reminded of a scripture about God’s faithfulness:
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).
God’s Word is so precious. It is our primary link between the natural and supernatural. As the Holy Spirit illuminates the Word of God to us, our spirit grows and our faith is strengthened. As surely as the rain comes, so God faithfully fulfills his Word.
The Word of God is not only a book of life; it is a living book. Hebrews 4:12a declares: “For the word of God is living and powerful…” It is living. It is powerful. You are not only reading history–you are reading Life!
Let me encourage you this week to sit down, take a break and read a few verses from the Bible. As you read, ask the Holy Spirit to show you some of God’s promises. Ask him to show you new and exciting truths. Ask him to reveal your path to peace. Let him introduce you to the living Word of God, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father, reveal to me your faithfulness through your Word and through your work in my life. Make real to me your promises to help me through fear and anxiety, and allow me to find peace in those promises. Teach me to trust you with everything in my life.
eternal gain
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
thinking big things
You’ve got to think about “big things”
while you’re doing small things,
so that all the small things
go in the right direction.
opportunity
There is no security in life, only opportunity.
obstacles
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.