“God delights in using ordinary Christians who come to the end of themselves and choose to trust in His extraordinary provision. He stands ready to allocate His power to all who are radically dependent on Him and radically devoted to making much of Him.”
by David Platt in
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
Fear rises when I think about being radical for God. What will He ask me to do? Will I have the courage? Will I be able to pass a test like Abraham, knife raised, ready to slay his own son? Could I lose everything like Job and stay true to God? Can I face persecution and still do what is right like Daniel, Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego? Do I have it in me to risk my life to do what God asks like Esther?
Yet I forget each of these were ordinary people empowered by Almighty God. His power enabled them to do what was right. The same God now dwells within me giving me the same strength.
Chances are we all have our own radical moments we don't define that way because they didn't seem so scary when God gave us the confidence to do the right thing. I remember many years ago after our first child was born, my husband quit his job before securing another because he felt God leading him elsewhere. He turned down two other jobs to candidate at a church with no guarantee of employment. I look back now and think we must have been crazy, but at the time it made perfect sense. We felt called to the church and trusted God to provide if it didn't work out. It didn't feel radical or scary. Our confidence came from God enabling us to follow Him. It worked out pretty well. This fall marks twenty years at the church!
Being radical doesn't need to be scary if we align ourselves with the Holy Spirit. Being radical is a natural outflow of a heart in tune with God. He will give us what we need to do what is right.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
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6 comments:
That was really good. Boy I think this quote hit home for all of us. What scares me about being radical for God is what if I'm radical for all the wrong reasons, in wrong ways, too much radical and not enough of faith and trust. I guess that's where getting in line with the Holy Spirit comes in to guide me in the right path of radical devotion to my King. Thanks for sharing today.
I remember many years ago after our first child was born, my husband quit his job before securing another because he felt God leading him elsewhere.
We did this too! (oh our parallel lives) And you are right, it was much less scary to us than everyone looking in because we had the peace that we were being obedient. It is about trust and being in alignment.
Great post my friend!
Oh, Tami...I love your last paragraph! So, so true. Thanks for sharing today!
Tami, I love how you wrote:
"Being radical doesn't need to be scary if we align ourselves with the Holy Spirit. Being radical is a natural outflow of a heart in tune with God. He will give us what we need to do what is right."
I think you got it right; that's the key! I so want to be in tune with God too.
Blessings,
Debbie
Great insight, Tami. When calls us to do something, he gives us the courage and wisdom to step out in faith, only knowing The Next Step.
It's an exciting kind of fear that comes before the action for me. If I am aligned, the line I wrote out and tucked into my purse, its craziness subsides. Ah but the initial motion...Sarah must have felt it walking into the harem.
Thank you for this.
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