Too Big

[Tamera]

I have always been the kind of person who, when God shows me what He wants me to do, I'm ready to jump out of the boat. That's changed in the last year because of some circumstances that happened.

When I was at a conference last week, God showed me something that scared me. It's too big. I feel like running for cover. I now understand how Moses felt when he asked God to find somebody else at the burning bush. It's not only that it's too big, but now I have a better understanding of what those big visions cost personally.

So, has anyone else had an experiance like that? How did you handle it? Did you obey or run away from what God wanted.

[lynnmosher]

Yessirree! I have! Though it may not seem like much to anyone else. When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia eight years ago, I was almost ready for a wheelchair. However, the Lord helped me to improve. A few months after the initial diagnosis and a little improvement, I heard this incredible whisper of the Lord that I had to do research for a book I was to write.

This scared the bejeebers out of me. I had no idea what I was doing but I stepped out of the scaredy-cat boat and went to work. Right now, because of life's happenings, that book is sitting on the back burner awaiting its final edit, I hope!

"They" say you should attempt something so big that, unless God intervenes, it is bound to fail! So there you go! Go ahead and attempt! And may the Lord bless your efforts!

[Tamera]

This is definatly too big for me. It's even too big for me to say out loud. Thanks for the encouragement, Lynn.

[lynnmosher]

Well, whatever this monster project is, I'm behind you all the way! You can do this!

http://bestsmileys.com/cheering/5.gif

[waiter]

Hi Tamera,
One thing I've learned between the Lord and me is that whether or not I believe I'm supposed to do something, is if I'm not feeling or believing I'm ready or able at the moment, if it simply is too big in my eyes, he does not expect of me more than I have to give. We either have it to give, or we don't.

There is also a difference between known disobedience on our part, and perhaps a misguided belief in us about a particular thing where we think "we must" when perhaps the Lord himself is not putting the thing upon us to walk in. I'm not saying that about you in this case, only that I know what I have learned about the Lord in this respect. We are to do nothing out of a compulsion or false sense of duty to God, but out of a true freedom and enabling in ourselves. We need God's peace first at all times, and if that is lacking, we need to find that peace before we can proceed. Too many of us have operated under a misguided sense of duty but God is a God of peace as well. I'm not laying anything on you or suggesting you are one thing or another, only that after reading your comments this comes to mind, and like I say, this is what I have come to understand about the Lord's requirements on myself, and I believe all of us. I hope that is helpful for you. There are certain principles of guidance which are indicators and help us know if we are on the right path or not. We each are easily misguided or fall out of step. God desires our peace as much as he desires a thing done in his name. We are part of the package, and if we are disturbed or afraid this will not work well. I am encouraged that God cares as much about his ministers as those who need ministering. This knowledge enables greater service and ministry for his name because his ministers do indeed undergo attack from Satan in different forms because the devil knows that a lot hinges on attacking those who are free and who carry the message of freedom to others.

Again, something I find helps is distinguishing between fear of going forward, or simply a disobedience in me. When God calls us to do something he also gives us a vision for it. When there is a vision, I feel compelled to go forward, and I can enter into disobedience, but am never at peace until I do the thing. What we need to know above all things is whether God has truly called us or not. If we determine that and are clear on that, all else becomes easier.
Zoran

[Tamera]

God is not really calling on me to do anything but believe and be open to the vision He's given me. I want to run away because I have a better understanding of what that means than I use to. I don't have to do anything for what He's given me to be fulfilled. This is completely a God thing. I just have to trust Him. I've been hurt before - badly - but God's vision and will have been fulfilled through it. It's not that I doubt this is God. It's that I'm counting the cost and wondering if I want to pay it.

[DrRita]

Tamera,

Whoa, hold on girl!! It's only been a week, let it grow on you. If it's from the Lord, it will become more of a desire as time goes on. I don't doubt that God gave you something BIG to do. He wants you to experience His working through you. Of course you can't do it. I'd be suspicious if you could. God wants to use you and why not. He will use those who are available. That's all you have to be is available. Everything else will come from Him.

When God gave Joseph the dream about his family bowing down to him, it was quite a journey. When God told Abraham about being the father of nations, it didn't happen right away and when Moses tried to fulfill the role of deliver out of himself, God had to remove him to the wilderness. Even Paul, when he tried to spread the gospel to the Jews, had to be let over the wall in a hand basket to save his life. Then God sent him away for several years before he pulled him into evangelism.

So just rest, wait, pray and have your bags packed to move. It may be days, it may be weeks, it may be months it could even be years. God is just now beginning to fulfill things he showed me years ago. (it's probably MY fault that it took so long) He won't move until both of you are ready. Just sit back and watch Him do what ever it is that He's planted in you. Hopefully you keep a journal.It a good thing to log your journey. And one more thing . . . usually when God gives you a vision, it must die before it's fulfilled. So be prepared for it to look like it's dead. Joseph must have really wondered what happened in prison . . . the same with Abraham, Moses and the list goes on.

[Tamera]

Thank you, Rita. Maybe I should say this isn't really a new vision; it's a continuation and growing of an old vision I thought had died. I don't expect this to come true right away, and I don't plan on doing anything. It is God's vision and will come in His timing. But it scared me when He showed it to me and my first reaction was to say "Nooooo!" I've never done that before. You are right. He will bring me to the place where I can handle it before He tells me to go. I just need to let Him guide me on this journey to trust Him.

[DrRita]

Well, then march on sister!!! God is able to do whatever he asks. He not only tells us to go but gives us everything for the journey.