My mama’s heart ached as I watched my little guy through the window in the door of the daycare classroom. He stood hesitantly as the children and teachers gathered in a circle on the floor.
“Come on, buddy!” I whispered to myself. “Go join your little friends!”
After a few agonizing moments, a daycare teacher comes. She bends down, looks him in the eyes and speaks softly to him for a moment. Then she takes him by the hand and leads him into the circle.
This was his routine. Separation anxiety was particularly hard for my son and even harder for his mother. Every morning for about a year, I cried on my way to work.
Sometimes, one of his little friends would come over and take him by the hand into the circle. He always waited for someone to take him, always waited to be invited in.
Recently, God brought this memory back into my mind as I struggled with His calling into an area of ministry. I was content watching others living out their calling on social media. Keeping a safe distance, I was not willing to completely step into the decision and acknowledge what I heard from God.
At times, I found myself sounding like Moses when he argued with God, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent. Please send someone else.” Exodus 4:10, 13
I saw myself as my son at daycare as God bent down, looked into my eyes and gently whispered:
“What are you afraid of?”
“Maybe I won’t be good at it.”
“Trust me.”
I had lived a comfortable faith. Risky faith seemed too daunting. Fear became a vicious enemy, a constant companion, keeping me from stepping into God’s perfect will for my life. For too long, I stayed outside the circle.
I have learned, however, that God does not want us to be just comfortable in our faith.
Sometimes He wants to move us. We must be willing to follow His cloudy pillar and trust that when He takes us to the water’s edge, one of two things will happen – either we will walk on water or He will part the sea.
So, I go with a surrendered heart and holy expectation for what God will do in my next season.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
God invites you into His circle of life. It is a life of abundance and joy. It is safe because He is with you and He is for you.
Will you bravely take His Hand and step into the circle?
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