Michelle is a good friend of mine from my childhood. Her husband Cedric, the class clown, would drive us around when Michelle would drag me off to the mall (a place I dread because I hate shopping with my entire being!) Now, being chauffeured is wonderful, however, it’s the mode of transportation that was a bit much for me. Cedric’s baby, besides his wife and son Dante, was his RV. Now I’m five feet two inches which means I had to get used to this RV thing. Truthfully, some of these RV’s are like entire civilizations on wheels. They’re like living in multiple zip codes everywhere you go! The challenge for me was the distance from the RV to the ground. I think that there may have been a mix-up at the Creator’s factory and some NBA player got part of my legs. All I know is it looked like a long way to the ground for Ms. Vertically Challenged. But the RV did have this one cool feature that made my day. As I stepped out, a step automatically came up under my dangling foot and helped me land safely every time!
With that said, many times in my life, God has led me to do something that literally meant stepping out totally by faith. I couldn’t see where the money was going to come from, or the people, or the solution. The Apostle Paul called it “going not knowing” (Acts 20:22, “And now, you see, I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit and obligated and compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit, NOT KNOWING WHAT WILL BEFALL ME THERE—” AMPC).
All through the Bible, from Abraham leaving everything he knew (Hebrews 11:8, “[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although HE DID NOT KNOW OR TROUBLE HIS MIND ABOUT WHERE HE WAS TO GO.” AMPC), to Peter stepping out of a boat to walk on water (Matthew 14:29, “He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and WALKED ON THE WATER, and he came toward Jesus.” AMPC), God’s plan has repeatedly required stepping into the unknown. You might be at one of those “going not knowing” moments right now, and if this is speaking to you, keep listening.
Here, in twelve simple words, is why you can risk taking that step. It is God’s guarantee, from the God who’s never broken a promise. That promise is recorded in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” The Amplified Bible reads like this: “Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and HE WILL ALSO DO IT [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].” (AMPC) That’s all you need to know. God’s not going to leave you stranded in the middle of His will. What He calls you to do, He’ll enable you to do. Philippians 1:6, “And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and BRINGING IT TO FULL COMPLETION IN YOU.” (AMPC); Philippians 4:13, “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME.” (KJV) What He leads you to do, He will provide for you to do. He’s your security. Not a paycheck. Not people you’ve depended on. Not your safe little nest. Not your abilities. It’s like Peter, it’s not the water that’s going to support you, IT’S JESUS!
The God who calls you to step into the unknown will bring His support underneath you as you step. Not before you step…AS YOU STEP. You have His word on it! Deuteronomy 33:27 guarantees that “the eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” The Amplified Bible reads like this: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” (AMPC)
Make sure you pay attention to that Scripture: “…UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS…” Your Father has His everlasting arms underneath you, therefore you should hold the utmost confidence in knowing that there is absolutely nothing that you should ever fear to step into! Stop fearing the business venture; stop being scared of the new job opportunities; stop running every time a risk appears. God’s strong and everlasting arms are underneath you, so give your feet some faith and step into the unknown, you will land safely!
Embrace this new season of “risky obedience!” It may not make sense; it may not be anything you’ve ever done before or seen anyone else do before; it may push you out of your comfort zone; it may bring new critics out the wood-works; you may be laughed at, judged or even talked about, and still I say if God said you can do it, then step out there and do it! 1 Samuel 15:22, “Samuel said, Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in OBEYING THE VOICE OF THE LORD? Behold, to OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (AMPC) I reiterate, if God say’s “COME” leave everybody else in the boat and GO!
You see the crazy thing about Peter is, he’s getting ready to step out of a boat and walk on water. But Nobody Walks On Water! Yet, when Jesus said ‘Come’, he went, and so should you! Yes, water is fluid and unstable, and there’s nothing beneath it holding it up, but there is something beneath you holding you up, remember, it’s YOUR FATHER’S EVERLASTING ARMS! It’s risky, but when you’re taking the risk with Jesus, there’s really no risk at all! Therefore, make sure you hear and heed God’s voice; follow His plan; fulfill His purpose; stay in His will and do what the Lord has called you to do!
God has given His word that He will “equip you with everything good for doing His will” (Hebrews 13:21) The Amplified Bible says it like this: “STRENGTHEN (COMPLETE, PERFECT) AND MAKE YOU WHAT YOU OUGHT TO BE AND EQUIP YOU WITH EVERYTHING GOOD THAT YOU MAY CARRY OUT HIS WILL; [WHILE HE HIMSELF] WORKS IN YOU AND ACCOMPLISHES THAT WHICH IS PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST (THE MESSIAH); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).” (AMPC) God’s Word also encourages you with these words: “my God will SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). The Amplified Bible says it like this: “And my God will LIBERALLY SUPPLY (FILL TO THE FULL) YOUR EVERY NEED according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (AMPC) So what is it that you’re worrying about?
See, just like Cedric’s RV, the support doesn’t come UNTIL you take the step. Because, in God’s words again, “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). The Amplified Bible reads: “But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].” (AMPC) This will be the year that you will have to stretch, strengthen and upgrade your faith! You cannot allow another year to go by and you’re still hiding in fear as opposed to walking by faith and fulfilling what God has called you to do and to become who God called you to be.
What are you forfeiting by standing still and stagnant? What are you missing out on? And do you really want to keep missing out on it?
Listen, let this be the year you finally stop fearing that the business or ministry will fail and instead walk by faith knowing that God’s everlasting arms are underneath your every step!
Hebrews 13:5, “Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; FOR HE [GOD] HIMSELF HAS SAID, I WILL NOT IN ANY WAY FAIL YOU NOR GIVE YOU UP NOR LEAVE YOU WITHOUT SUPPORT. [I WILL] NOT, [I WILL] NOT, [I WILL] NOT IN ANY DEGREE LEAVE YOU HELPLESS NOR FORSAKE NOR LET [YOU] DOWN (RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU)! [ASSUREDLY NOT!]” (AMPC)
Isaiah 46:4, “Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age WILL I CARRY YOU. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I WILL CARRY AND WILL SAVE YOU.” (AMPC)
Joshua 1:5, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I WILL BE WITH YOU; I WILL NOT FAIL YOU OR FORSAKE YOU.” (AMPC)
2 Corinthians 6:16, “What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as GOD SAID, I WILL DWELL IN AND WITH AND AMONG THEM AND WILL WALK IN AND WITH AND AMONG THEM, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.” (AMPC)
Genesis 28:13, 15, “And behold, the Lord stood over and beside him and said, I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father [forefather] and the God of Isaac; I will give to you and to your descendants the land on which you are lying…And behold, I AM WITH YOU AND WILL KEEP (WATCH OVER YOU WITH CARE, TAKE NOTICE OF) YOU WHEREVER YOU MAY GO, AND I WILL BRING YOU BACK TO THIS LAND; FOR I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU UNTIL I HAVE DONE ALL OF WHICH I HAVE TOLD YOU.” (AMPC)
Deuteronomy 31:8, “IT IS THE LORD WHO GOES BEFORE YOU; HE WILL [MARCH] WITH YOU; HE WILL NOT FAIL YOU OR LET YOU GO OR FORSAKE YOU; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit—depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm].” (AMPC)
Isaiah 41:13, “For I the Lord your God HOLD YOUR RIGHT HAND; I AM THE LORD, WHO SAYS TO YOU, FEAR NOT; I WILL HELP YOU!” (AMPC)
You can step out into the unknown because your God who knows all things has already made every provision for your every step. You my friend have absolutely nothing and no one to fear. So, don’t you dare allow another opportunity to slip through your fingers because you’re too scared to move your feet! Remember, I’m only five feet two inches tall, so getting out of any truck is a bit scary for me. However, once I realized after the first time that before my feet hit the ground that little automatic step popped right out, right on time to steady my footing, I felt safe. And God’s everlasting arms underneath you are even more secure and guaranteed than that!
What you should always keep in mind is that God keeps his everlasting arms underneath you, but He also orders your steps! So even when you have no idea of where God has you going, just trust Him and keep stepping. Psalm 37:23, “The STEPS of a good man are ORDERED by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” (KJV) One of the definitions for the word ‘ordered’ is defined as ‘to command to go or come to a specified place” This is why you can step into the unknown, because God orders your steps and those steps are His commands telling you to go and come to specified places. God knows exactly where you are to go and He will lead you right into purpose and destiny. Every step that’s ordered is to a specified place. And ‘specified’ is defined as ‘clearly and detailed’. People of God, your Father does not play games with our lives or our futures. When He orders our steps, they are clear and detailed, even if not to us, they are to Him. He is not playing a guessing game with His children. Therefore, no more fear, this will be your faith year! The year where you assign faith to your feet and you start stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown, where God knows all things. You will step and land safely every time. But you’ve got to grow, mature and develop into a child of God who trusts their Father, even in the unfamiliar, uncommon, uncomfortable and unknown!
Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” (AMPC)
Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].” (AMPC)
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” (AMPC)
“Faith is stepping out into the unknown with nothing to guide us but a hand just beyond our grasp.” (Frederick Buechner)
“In any given moment, we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.” (Abraham Maslow)
“This moving away from comfort and security, this stepping out into what is unknown, uncharted and shaky – that’s called liberation.” (Pema Chodron)
“When you have come to the edge of all the light you have and step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one of the two will happen to you: either you’ll find something solid to stand on or you’ll be taught how to fly.” (Richard Bach)
“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” (George Addair)
“Unless we take that first step into the unknown, we will never know our own potential.” (Allan Rufus)
“Growth only comes from adversity and from challenge – from stepping away from what’s comfortable and familiar and stepping out into the unknown” (Ben Saunders)
“A journey to the unknown shores needs a port, a ship, a wind; but more important than all of them: Courage. Courage to leave the known for the unknown.” (Author Unknown)
“Each time you try something for the first time you will grow – a little piece of the fear of the unknown is removed and replaced with a sense of empowerment.” (Annette White)
“There are times when we have to step into the darkness in faith, confident that God will place solid ground beneath our feet once we do.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
“Until you step into the unknown, you don’t know what you’re made of.” (Roy T. Bennett)
“Do not ask God to guide your footsteps if you’re not willing to move your feet” (Sean Patrick Flanery)
“God’s plan may not take you in the direction you were expecting, but God wants you on a right path that leads to joy, peace and blessing.” (Author Unknown)
Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #ShareTheWordFeel free to also join us at: http://www.selfcarewithdrshermaine.blogspot.com Today’s Lesson: “15 Things You Can Do For Your Health Today”
Feel free to join us at: http://www.chefshermainesbiblecafe.home.blog Today’s Chef Special Word: “COMPLAINT”
LETS STAY CONNECTED!
Daily Dose With Dr. Shermaine: https://dailydosewithdrshermaine.wordpress.com
Facebook: DrShermaine Franklin-Sanders
Instagram: dr_shermaine / chef_drshermaine
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/dr-shermaine-y-franklin-sanders910019142/
Twitter: Dr_Shermaine
Pinterest: drsys321
Daily Dose With Dr.Shermaine 