The Journey of Speaking Out

I am officially starting to blog today. I am not even sure what that means but it seems to be the next step on my journey. I have been listening to God's calling for several years now of stepping out with Him when He presents the opportunity.

I will be quiet frank with you....I don't like to talk to people. If you are my friend reading this, you are questioning every letter in that sentence but that is the way I feel. I, however, can talk your ear off, if and only if, I feel very comfortable with you. Writing, on the other hand, is a little different. I can usually express myself without feelings of insecurities of needing to say more or less. I don't have to look at your face when I write and feel awkward for my thoughts. I am sure that sounds rather strange but getting to know me better will explain many of my thoughts.

I was raised in a Christian home with wonderful parents that led me to the Lord at an early age. My two sisters and I were at the church EVERY time the doors opened. Sometimes I wondered why we didn't just build a room there. LOL!! My parents were actively involved in every avenue of our church so us girls got to experience loads of things. My dad eventually started a mission church from our church home and pastored it for several years. Growing up I was not always happy with the RULES we had to live by but oh how thankful I am for my upbringing and see now more than ever the protection they provided for me.

About seven years ago, God began to speak to my heart on a level He had not spoken before. I was at a low in my life and searching for answers and a glimpse of hope. He very loudly told me while sitting at my breakfast table in our newly built home that I needed to get out of my comfort zone and start using the gifts He had given me. What Lord????? Are you talking to me???? Me, Lord??? These were the only thoughts that could come to mind. I didn't like what He was saying and didn't really want to move from my comfortable spot at all.  As many of us, we get into a rut of the same ole, same ole, and later don't want to move from it because it is familiar and known. Moving to unknown is scary!! We want a fresh breath of Him but sometimes just want Him to do all the work while we just sit and soak. Well, that is where I was on that cloudy November day. I wanted to hear from the Lord but I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear and DO what He was requiring.

Time passed, God was still moving and presenting opportunities and reluctantly, kicking and screaming I was going along. A dear friend of mine, a few months later, shared a scripture with me and I have claimed it as my life verse, knowing this is what God's calling is on my life.

Jeremiah 1:4-10
"The word of the Lord came to me saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Ah, Sovereign Lord, I said, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child. But the Lord said to me, Do not say I am only a child. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."

I read that and still get chills. I knew when the scriptures were shared they were God's words to me. One day I will explain more of just how relevant those words were to me. But like I said before, I don't like to talk to people and God asking me to speak out just about made me want to throw up....still does!!

You see I believe that we are sometimes best used by God in our weaknesses. For me, that is exactly true and I can take NO absolute credit for God supplying my words. I honestly can not speak nor write apart from Him. It is something that He supplies completely. And I absolutely LOVE what He can use to minister to someone else.

So, I had to quit giving excuses as to why I couldn't move and I had to start moving. No longer could I be a boat potato. If I wanted to walk on water with Him, I had to jump ship!! Jump from being comfortable to being uncomfortable for Him. Speaking Out!

My prayer through blogging is to jump ship everyday and walk on water with Him so that you can see just how magnificent He is!! I also pray that this blog will be an encouragement to you to jump ship and follow after Him each and every day of your life!!

Stay tuned and be encouraged!!!