As I start this week I feel very led to encourage people to do some things that are not easy. Things that only you know God is calling you to do. I have found that when we step out and follow God's leading He can do amazing things with us, through us and in us. And even though the impact it can have on others is something we may never know...when it is God calling you to do it, you can guarantee it will have impact and advance His kingdom.
Last night I had the chance to hear an amazing life story (testimony) of someone who has become very close to me. I got to listen to their life's story before they met Jesus, what He did for them...and what life has begun to look like since they met Him. And I can't tell you how much their story impacted my heart. However, I also had the chance to open up and share my entire testimony with them. And when I say that, I mean everything that God has rescued and redeemed me from. God has had me share parts of my testimony with several people over the past year, but it has been rare that He has given me the nudge to share everything from my past. But when He has, it has always been because He has put me in front of someone I can fully trust (in Him), and someone who will show me His kind of love, grace and mercy without casting down judgment on me. And when those things are in place, God can do amazing things with your story as you open up. But what He can also do is allow you to experience even more healing, love and forgiveness as you share your story. It's actually quite an amazing thing to experience.
Some of us are walking around with very powerful stories. Stories that others need to hear. Stories that show the true redeeming and healing power of Jesus Christ. And stories that ARE going to advance God's kingdom. However, some of our stories are not only tough to tell, they are tough for other's to hear. So of you may not yet be asking God what you were supposed to do with your story since you have received Him as your personal Savior, but I strongly suggest that you do. God wants to use you and your story in ways that I promise you can't even imagine. Ask Him to guide and direct you for the right time, place and person (or people) that you are to share it with. Listen for His voice and learn to know when His is telling you step out in faith.
For some people the idea of sharing their testimony of what life was like before they met Jesus, or before they rededicated their life to Him, is frightening. And they can't imagine ever opening up to one person, let alone God calling them to share it publicly. But please know that if it's God that is calling you to share, He will calm those fears. He will have a plan and a purpose for your story being told and His supernatural power will be flowing through you. In the moment that He would nudge you to share it, your concern for how it is going to impact the lives of others will far outweigh your fear, your nervousness or your worry of being judged. And once you have shared it and watched God us it to help others relate to you and feel that they too can be forgiven and set free, don't be surprised if you have a desire to share it again. Always trust God to show you the right time and place. He will create the safety and the trust needed when you are to share. Unfortunately, if He is calling you to share it publicly, then there may be someone there that will cast judgement. But even in that, God may use that moment to reveal things to that person about how they are judging you. When it is God that is calling you to step out, He will always produce something good from the thing He is calling you to step out and do. Never allow the enemy to tell you otherwise. The enemy fears the power of your story when it has God's anointing on it, so understand He is going to create every negative feeling in you that He can to stop you from acting in obedience. In those moments just trust God. Let go and let God....and believing you have been calling for such a moment as this!
God, Thank You that you can take even the worst of our past and use it to positively impact Your Kingdom. Thank You that You have not only brought us out of our past and forgiven and redeemed us, but You have now also created a way for us to relate to others and show them just how powerful your Love, Grace and Mercy is. Holy Spirit today I ask that You speak to the hearts of people who have been walking in fear of allowing You to use their story, and I ask right now for an awaking of all the hearts and minds of people who have been set free. Give them the wisdom to know when you are the One calling them to step out in faith and then provide the courage and strength needed to do WHATEVER it is You are calling them to do. And allow us to see that lives You can be changed when we act in obedience. In Jesus name, Amen.
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