Dare.

God wants to cultivate in me His strength out of my weakness.


He wants me to let go of all fear. His love is casting it out.


1 John 4:18 -- Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.


God's love is casting out a lot of fears in my life.


It's insane how many fears I've had that I haven't realized.


For those of you who know me, you may know that I eat slow. Perhaps you don't know me that well, but it's a known fact. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays I go to lunch with three people who have to be somewhere quickly after they eat. Therefore, today I ended up sitting in the caf alone. When I first got here at CBU, this was one of my biggest fears; being alone. But you know what? It's not a big deal at all. In fact, I whipped out my bible and meditated on Psalm 62 as I continued to finish my meal. By the end I was thinking that I should come into the caf alone more often to enjoy a peaceful meal centered on time with Jesus.


Another fear I have mustered up over the years is the fear of public speaking. Yes, I realize it makes no sense to outside observers because all I ever do is talk...but for some reason I've gathered this one up. I was terrified to take COM113 because I knew I'd have to make four speeches, but guess what? Piece of cake. I don't even know why I was so afraid of it. Yesterday I knocked out a speech that I wrote Sunday and delivered it really well on four hours of sleep and no breakfast. I wasn't nervous on the inside, although my knees started to shake. I ended my speech with confidence and poise, happy to have done my best.


I see a pattern in my life where I decide that something makes me uncomfortable so I refuse to do it. I don't know how to do something absolutely perfectly so I won't even try. Random examples include swimming, public speaking, singing, or dressing fashionably. The things is, I don't have to know how to do all of these things perfectly or know the ins and outs of each of them, but if I'm humble and realize it's not about me then it won't be as big of a deal. If I simply realize people aren't paying that much attention to me. It's not about me.


I don't need to be afraid because Jesus loves me and he just wants me to rest and enjoy this life he has given me and all the blessings he's poured over it.


Back to my time in Belize, I will never forget a conversation Verity and I had in the airport; she said I am a studly woman, but I tend to underestimate myself. It's almost been a year since then...I agreed then and I agree today, but I still have done little to live it out.


I don't need to be afraid of rejection, punishment, failure, or anything else that is completely irrelevant. Jesus has a plan for my life, he'll make it happen, and I can rest in this truth because he is faithful and true.


Psalm 62:5-8 -- Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.


I know that God is good, so I will trust in Him as he leads me along paths of righteousness.

I will not fear the war, 

I will not fear the storm, 

 help is on the way.