|
You are a step away from possessing your promised land (realizing your dreams). Wow, really? Yep, you heard me right. So, if you're really a step away from realizing your dreams, then why don't you take that step? Most people don't take that step because of fear. And why are people fearful? People are often fearful because it is their first step - the step that requires them to be strong and courageous - a step that calls for unwavering faith. Has God given you a dream for the future, but perhaps you're feeling fearful and hesitant to take that first step? Then, todays newsletter is just for you. As you read about Moses, Joshua, the Israelites, and even Peter, I hope you will be inspired to "go for your God-given dreams" as never before. But don't jump ahead just yet. First, let's build our faith by learning from the experience of others. We'll begin by taking a brief look at an animal who knows a thing or two about being fearful. Consider the horse...
You've heard me say it before, but it's worth repeating - horses are natural-born "fearaholics". Why? They are prey animals, and because they are prey in a world of predators, their natural instinct is based in fear - fear of becoming someone's next meal! Does this mean that a horse is bound by his instinctual and reactive responses to fear? The answer is no! Why? Just like you and me, the horse is more than just the summation of his feelings, including those crippling feelings of fear. The horse has a brain and he is capable of using it. With the guidance of a good Master, a horse can actually learn to use the thinking side of his brain instead of the reactive side of his brain where fear often resides. That doesn't mean that the horse will never experience any fear, especially when he is in situations where, perhaps, he is being asked to do something new or out of the ordinary, or where the outcome is unknown to him. It simply means that he has learned not to act on his feelings, and instead, he acts on what he knows (the Master). If a horse has learned to put his faith in the one that holds the reins to his life, then that faith will be far greater than his fear of the unknown.
The promised land belongs only to those who are
willing to leave the water's edge, and
step out in faith.
One of the most remarkable stories of the Old Testament is the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. The Israelites had been in bondage to the Egyptians for hundreds of years, and at last, God raised up a Savior (Moses) to help free them from slavery. But there was more. Moses had come to lead the children of Israel into their promised land. Who wouldn't want to take that journey? After all, their promised land was a place of milk and honey - a place where their dreams could be realized. There was only one problem. Standing between them and their promised land was the Red Sea! What now? Would they step out in the water by faith, or would they let their fear cause them to forfeit their dream? With Moses' encouragement, the Israelites stepped out in faith, and because they did, God parted the waters and they walked across on dry land. Now let's talk about Joshua, and yep, more water...
After Moses died, Joshua was called upon by God to continue leading His people. There was just one problem. In order to get where they were destined to be (the promised land), they would now have to cross the Jordan River. Alas, Joshua gave the order that probably went something like this, "God has given us the promised land and we are well able to possess it. Now take a step of faith and step out in the water!" I imagine a few people were thinking, "Are you kidding me? Even if we desert-dwellers could swim, this is a terrible time to attempt crossing the Jordan. After all, it's harvest time, and the water level is too high!" Yet, once again, with Joshua's encouragement, the people trusted God and put their feet in the water. The moment they took that first step of faith, the river miraculously dried up, and they crossed on over Jordan! Now let's talk about someone who actually walked on water!
As a covenant child of God, you were created to be a
water-walker!
No doubt, Peter was passionate about Jesus. Wherever Jesus was, that was where Peter wanted to be. Now read closely what I am about to say to you. Unlike the old testament stories of Moses, Joshua, and the Israelites, Peter's story is found in the new testament. That means that as a covenant child of God, Peter was created to be a water-walker! Not only was Peter a new creation walking in covenant partnership with Jesus, but because of his relationship to Christ, he had been given delegated power (power given to him through Christ) to do that which was impossible (remember, all things are possible with Christ). In other words, while folks in the old testament (Moses, Joshua, and the Israelites) were dependent on God to part the waters for them, Jesus was beckoning Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water with Him!
With his eyes fixated on the promised land (in this instance, Jesus), and with his faith high, the Bible tells us that Peter stepped out of his boat and did a miraculous thing - he actually walked on water! But then, amidst the rolling waves and the strong gusts of wind, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and began to look at his circumstances. At that very moment, Peter lost sight of the promised land, and his faith was swallowed up in fear. Interestingly, Jesus did not allow Peter to drown in his fear. Instead, He reached out His hand to Peter and saved him. However, Jesus did not miss the opportunity to reprimand Peter. No doubt, Peter's lack of faith had been a disappointment to Jesus. Why? He knew Peter had forfeited more than the dream. Peter had forfeited his amazing ability to "walk on water", and all because of his fear.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
(Matthew 14: 30 - 31)
You can stand in fear at the water's edge and forfeit your dream, or you can step out in the water and possess your promised land. The choice is yours.
Friend, if you're a child of God, then I know that you have a big dream inside of you. It's that dream you can't shake - that dream that burns inside of you like a fire that cannot be extinguished, that dream that often keeps you awake at night as you ponder the possibilities. Perhaps a thousand times you have tried to forget the dream, abandon the dream, or run from the dream all because of fear, but it remains a constant in your life. Why? God has woven the dream into your heart. Perhaps the dream is to own your own business, go into ministry, start a family, begin a new career, learn to drive a car, or even ride a horse in the ocean! No matter what it is, the dream is as unique as you are. Why? You were not created for your dream - your dream was created by God especially for you!
That leads me to one last point. Because the dream was made and designed especially for you, it will often feel like a gravitational pull that you are unable to escape, pulling you closer and closer towards the water. And yet, just like the Israelites, or Peter, or even the horse, you have a choice. You can stand in fear at the water's edge and forfeit your dream, or you can step out in the water and possess your promised land. Want some advice from someone (that would be me) who has stood at the water's edge, and contemplated the choice? This is your time - don't miss it because of fear. Be strong and courageous, and unwavering in your faith. Then dare to step out in the water, and trust God for the dream!
|
