Living Boldly in MY Comfort Zone

All my life I’ve had this tendency to be a people pleaser! With my parents, my brother, authority figures, you name them - I tried to please them. I've never really stepped out with a lot of courage. God has done some amazing things in my life – when I've surrendered… but I’m not sure I surrender that often. But I want to and I need to! What is holding me back?!  

When God told me, its probably been four years ago now, to be bold, step out and say what needs to be said, do what needs to be done. I was afraid. So, I was bold as long as it was comfortable.

A verse God brought to my attention was: 

Acts 4:13 (New Century)

"The Jewish leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak, and they understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus."

But I always seemed afraid, OR when I feel like I've found the courage to be bold – I listen to humans and then I doubt, so I don’t.  

I lacked confidence, but maybe that is why God called me to this ministry – because He knew I would never have the confidence to do it alone. He knew that I would have to rely on Him completely.  I was a wet lump of clay in HIS hands and HE wanted to mold me into HIS masterpiece. After about a year living “boldly” in my comfort zone, God gave me a tornado in my stomach! I had a sense of urgency that I couldn't shake.  I knew I was supposed to be doing something, but what? So as usual - I questioned if I heard Him correctly.

That's when I felt drawn to this passage...

Philippians 1: 22-25 (Message)
"As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better but most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues."

God has called me to this place, at this time, for a very specific purpose. There is “good work for me to do.”

So – if there is "good work for me to do" what keeps holding me back?  Well, it's ME!
I keep trying to do things in MY OWN strength instead of HIS and it is wearing me out!  I’m tired. I’m weak. I’m weary.

I want to be the person described in this verse…

Ephesians 3:12 (Message)
"When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go." 

So how do I get there?

Psalm 51:10-13 (New Century Version)

 "Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again. 
 Do not send me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me.
 Give me back the joy of your salvation. Keep me strong by giving me a willing spirit.
 Then I will teach your ways to those who do wrong, and sinners will turn back to you."

There is so much that HE wants me to do, HE wants me to say, He wants me to become… this will only happen when I learn to daily die to self and follow Him.

It’s time to stop being afraid.

It’s time to stop trying to please people.

It’s time to WAKE-UP and live BOLDLY for Christ.  I’m ready…

What about you?