The high dive tower at the local swimming hole seemed to scrape the sky through my much younger eyes. My gut would gurgle with each step up toward the top. Confidence would erode as I stood there, looking down at the water a million miles below. I’m pretty sure my fear of looking stupid if I were to chicken out was competing with my fear of making the leap.
Isn’t that the way life goes? Fears abound, especially when we try something new. The second, third, and fourth times off the diving board grew easier with each jump. But man, that first time stepping off into the unknown is hard.
What fears keep me from living my life on mission?
It makes me think about the fears that keep me from fully stepping into the calling I know deep down would bring meaning and purpose. After all, it’s easier to sit on the edge of the pool and watch everyone else climb the ladder and take the plunge.
I might fail miserably. There may be haters. I might be too vulnerable. Maybe no one will read what I write.
But what if I don’t?
God has put it on my heart to be bold about my faith, to use the gifts and talents He’s given me, and to share the things I’ve learned with others. And so, I’m stepping out in faith asking God to use me to point others to Him through writing, speaking and coaching.
It’s like the parable of the talents that Jesus told in Matthew 25:14-30. The master put workers in charge of his money in differing amounts and went on a journey. When he returned, two of the workers put their money to use and showed a profit, but the third worker buried his money out of fear.
The master said this to the first and second workers, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21
To the one who buried the money, the master’s response was the opposite of what he hoped: he was severely rebuked, the money was taken from him, and he was thrown outside.
What are your gifts and talents that can be used for kingdom purposes?
God has given each of us gifts, talents, abilities, skills, resources, passions, and even places of influence so that we can join His larger plan of advancing His kingdom here on earth. He’s called us to share the gospel, love others, trust and obey Him, and point people to Him.
If no one has ever told you this, I’m telling you this now. God made you on purpose for a purpose. He uniquely formed you and wants you to join in the mission of sharing the good news of the gospel. Your mission field will probably look different than mine, but both are important and valuable.
Do you feel a tug toward ministering to kids at your church, serving in prison ministry, becoming a foster parent, teaching a class, cleaning up after events, bringing a meal to someone recovering from surgery, or joining a prayer ministry? The list could go on and on. Maybe you are already serving, but you feel a nudge to step out in faith in a new area. It’s easy to do what’s easy, but oftentimes God prompts us to step outside our comfort zone, which in turn grows our faith because we have to depend on Him.
The idea of living on mission may feel completely foreign, yet you are intrigued. Regardless of where you are now, stop for a moment and ask God to begin showing you your next step in living out His calling in your life.
Where has God called you to be an ambassador for Christ?
I don’t want fear to keep me from stepping into my calling. For me, that looks like living out my faith in the ordinary rhythms of daily life. I can be an ambassador for Christ in my workplace, in my neighborhood, and wherever He has placed me. When my relationship with God is vibrant and life-giving, I want to share the hope that comes from deeply knowing Christ with others.
This is a prayer I want to lift over my life and over my fellow believers. Praying Scripture is powerful. When I turn a verse like this into a prayer, I am asking God to fill me, and from the overflow of what He is doing in my life, to use me to make a difference in the world.
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have the redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:9-14
When I’m living on mission for Christ and His kingdom, there’s nothing more fulfilling in this world. I tell my fears to descend the ladder as I swan dive into the pool below, feeling exhilaration as I trust God in the process of living the life He has called me to.
Will you take the plunge?
The unknown—the deep end of the pool—can be scary, but I can’t help wondering where it will take me: Could it lead to personal and spiritual growth? To the shaping of my character? To inspiring others, pointing them to Christ, or even drawing people to faith? Could it open doors I never imagined, leave a legacy that extends beyond myself, or create a meaningful life whose impact reaches into eternity?
What I do know is that if God is inviting me to spring off the board and dive in, He is already there in the water below. He will use the leap for His glory, and I am grateful for the chance to dive fully into His calling.
Next Steps: Let’s figure out how to apply these principles.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Prayer
Spend some time in prayer. Ask the Lord to show you the mission He has for you. Bring your fear to Him asking you for courage, strength and wisdom. Thank Him for what He is going to do in and through you as you step out in faith.
Scriptures that would be worth reading and processing
- Matthew 28:18-20
- Acts 1:8
- 1 Peter 3:15
- Colossians 4:2-6
MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL PRACTICES
Journal about any of these concepts that speak to you. Where are you on the spectrum of plunging in the pool or just sitting on the sidelines. I’d encourage you to acknowledge any fears you may have related to stepping into your calling. Ask God to show you how He is able to meet you in your fear and what character qualities He is wanting to instill in you.
Journal Topics
AM I PASSIONATE or SLEEPWALKING THROUGH LIFE?
Living with fervor—serious effort toward something bigger than yourself—brings vitality, energy, and zeal. This is next-level living compared to merely getting by, drifting without purpose, going through the motions, or falling into apathy.
AM I PROACTIVE or EXPERIENCING SUBTLE AVOIDANCE?
When forward thinking and consistent, strategic action guide our steps, we actually move toward our goals. Too often, distractions and neglect let us bypass our calling, keeping us on the current course without progress.
AM I POSITIVE or SKEPTICAL?
An open heart and mind toward God’s calling keeps skepticism at bay. Believing in His plan allows us to embrace the internal tug toward a purposeful life.
AM I PRAYERFUL or SPIRITUALLY DRY?
Prayer tops the list in preparing for the work of the Lord. We could do all the “right” things to live out our mission, but apart from Him, it is empty. Living dependent on God—and pursuing Him passionately—combats spiritual dryness. Prostrate prayer reminds our soul that we are fully reliant on the movement of the Lord.
DO I PRAISE or FOCUS ON MYSELF?
Worship lifts our gaze from ourselves to the Lord. When we focus on who God is and who we are in Christ, our problems are seen in the light of His power. Praise redirects our hearts from self-centeredness to God-centeredness.
AM I PERSEVERANT or EXPERIENCING STAGNATION?
Continuing despite challenges builds character. Even small steps forward matter. Giving up, avoiding growth, or remaining disengaged leads to stagnation, while perseverance transforms us
RELATIONAL PRACTICES
Ask a friend what talents, skills, passions, and spiritual gifts they see in you. Talk about potential ways to serve that are in in line with how God has wired you. Pray together for the Lord to reveal his calling.
PHYSICAL PRACTICES
Fasting is a physical and spiritual discipline that involves abstaining from food (or something else like social media) for a period of time for greater spiritual clarity.
When hunger pangs (or a desire to scroll) come, use them as a prompt to pray. You could pray for direction or clarity if you aren’t sure what your calling is, or you could pray for the details of the direction that God is calling you to.
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