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I have such an impulsive personality that God has had to spend lots of time teaching me to "stay in the boat" and to wait for His word to move. Sometimes, though, that boat gets very comfy. The walls start feeling very, very safe. The familiarity is soothing. It becomes our comfort zone even if the original command from God to build the boat and climb in was difficult.
Noah must have felt a little that way. Even though he was dealing with many pairs of smelly animals, a travel worn family and confining quarters, it must have been a little scary to climb out of the boat. It was a new world out there. The old world that he was familiar with had literally washed away. There was still a time to get out of the boat, though. It was a time to move into new territory and start a new life.
I reached a point like that 4 years ago. God had been opening doors for me to do some speaking. Since public speaking is listed as people's number one fear, I was surprised to find that I loved it. No, it was more than loving it. I felt like I was fulfilling what I was created for when I spoke about God's Word. Sounds glorious, right? I don't think those early days were very glorious. Although I believe that God used my words for His purposes, I struggled, because I knew that I was fulfilling part of my calling but I wasn't fulfilling it as well as I wanted. I have never desired to be the "polished and professional" speaker, but my heart beat is to communicate God's character and His Word in the most compelling way possible. I knew I was falling far short of that goal.
I started searching around on the internet for some help and eventually ran across She Speaks, Proverbs 31's conference for speakers and writers. I was elated but scared. I really believed that God wanted me to go, but there were some obstacles. First, I was being called out of the boat, but I was afraid. What if I went and didn't measure up? What if it became clear that I would never grow into the speaker that I longed to be? Finances were another obstacle. I began to pray that God would provide.
He did! I was asked to speak, and as usual I asked for an honorarium instead of a set fee. The gift that they gave me covered my registration for She Speaks. The fear was another issue, but as my friend Micca reminded me later, courage isn't the absence of fear but rather feeling the fear and doing it anyway. I did.
What I found there was the most encouraging, most nurturing group of women who cheered on my dream as if it was their own (turns out it IS part of their dream!) Just as God provided for Noah in his new environment, God used She Speaks to launch me into a new set of dreams that I hadn't even imagined.
This year we have 5 tracks at She Speaks: speakers, writers, women's ministry leaders, teen girls and bloggers. Maybe you're reading this post today, and God has been calling you out of your boat and toward She Speaks registration. If so, I hope my story encourages you. We can't wait to see you in Charlotte! If you're just being introduced to She Speaks and you're curious, click below and check out the whole website.
I have such an impulsive personality that God has had to spend lots of time teaching me to "stay in the boat" and to wait for His word to move. Sometimes, though, that boat gets very comfy. The walls start feeling very, very safe. The familiarity is soothing. It becomes our comfort zone even if the original command from God to build the boat and climb in was difficult.
Noah must have felt a little that way. Even though he was dealing with many pairs of smelly animals, a travel worn family and confining quarters, it must have been a little scary to climb out of the boat. It was a new world out there. The old world that he was familiar with had literally washed away. There was still a time to get out of the boat, though. It was a time to move into new territory and start a new life.
I reached a point like that 4 years ago. God had been opening doors for me to do some speaking. Since public speaking is listed as people's number one fear, I was surprised to find that I loved it. No, it was more than loving it. I felt like I was fulfilling what I was created for when I spoke about God's Word. Sounds glorious, right? I don't think those early days were very glorious. Although I believe that God used my words for His purposes, I struggled, because I knew that I was fulfilling part of my calling but I wasn't fulfilling it as well as I wanted. I have never desired to be the "polished and professional" speaker, but my heart beat is to communicate God's character and His Word in the most compelling way possible. I knew I was falling far short of that goal.
I started searching around on the internet for some help and eventually ran across She Speaks, Proverbs 31's conference for speakers and writers. I was elated but scared. I really believed that God wanted me to go, but there were some obstacles. First, I was being called out of the boat, but I was afraid. What if I went and didn't measure up? What if it became clear that I would never grow into the speaker that I longed to be? Finances were another obstacle. I began to pray that God would provide.
He did! I was asked to speak, and as usual I asked for an honorarium instead of a set fee. The gift that they gave me covered my registration for She Speaks. The fear was another issue, but as my friend Micca reminded me later, courage isn't the absence of fear but rather feeling the fear and doing it anyway. I did.
What I found there was the most encouraging, most nurturing group of women who cheered on my dream as if it was their own (turns out it IS part of their dream!) Just as God provided for Noah in his new environment, God used She Speaks to launch me into a new set of dreams that I hadn't even imagined.
This year we have 5 tracks at She Speaks: speakers, writers, women's ministry leaders, teen girls and bloggers. Maybe you're reading this post today, and God has been calling you out of your boat and toward She Speaks registration. If so, I hope my story encourages you. We can't wait to see you in Charlotte! If you're just being introduced to She Speaks and you're curious, click below and check out the whole website.
Maybe your challenge today doesn't have anything to do with ministry, but you know...you just know in your deepest parts that God is calling you from a time of resting in the boat to a time of moving out into a new phase of life. Take heart! God always provides for us when we respond to Him in obedience. I'll be praying for all of you today--both those who are struggling as you wait for the next instruction and for those who are struggling to obey in taking the next scary step.
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6 comments:
Thank you Amy for your encouragement. I have a desire to attend She Speaks this year, yet don't know how it can happen. But, I know that if it's God's will, He will make it happen just like He did for you. It's time to climb out from the safe boat in other areas of my life as well. God gave me that courage through your post today! Thank you.
Sometimes I think God loves to show off! Yesterday I asked a friend to pray with me about whether or not I should accept a contributing writer position. While I don't have an answer yet, I am staying on the boat until He says yes or no. I don't want to make a move without Him. If I pass this up, I may miss many other opportunities; however, if I pass it up I will not be cutting into time with my husband and grandchildren. Sometimes I feel pushed to the limits, but I'm actually fearful of saying yes or no unless I know it's from God. This devotion really confirmed that I should be waiting on Him and listening for Him in prayer time. Thank you so much for writing it!
Amy-thank you for your devotional today at P31. I too had a situation like this and I know the pain in your heart over it. These situations are good though in that they teach us to be more open and attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I know I have been trying to be more attentive.
Our women's leadrship teacm is meeting monday night to decide about She Speaks. Our pastor will provide some funding. The date is a problem for me and $ effects most of us since we are from the mid-west (estimated to cost us all $1000 each to come). We would cherish your prayers in this!!
In His Graces~Pamela
Hi, Amy, You probably don't remember me from last year, but we met in the hall as several moms and I were talking about our life journeys (children with brain tumors). You cried and talked with us. It was precious. Thank you for stopping to share that moment with us. I hope to see you this year.
Sometimes I feel unqualified for speaking/writing and other times I feel as if there is nothing God has called me to more....does that make sense? I just never want it to be about me, and when I think about writing and speaking I wrestle with "who I think I am" to feel called to this.....
Wow! I have really rambled here, but that is the battle that often goes on in my mind.
Longing to be humbly His and still feeling called to share Him in a public way.....
Please email me at tammynischan@yahoo.com if you have any deep thoughts on my ramblings!
See you in a few months. Have a great summer!
Love,
tammy
So, so, so glad you got out of that boat and came to She Speaks! God had an amazing plan for you and for us. We are so blessed to have you on our team Amy. I can't wait to spend time with you at the Roxboro conference this coming weekend!
Amy, just stopped by to say I loved your devotion last week....I was out of town so didn't have time to come leave a comment.
I'm so sorry to hear of your uncle. I'm praying that God's comfort blankets you and your family.
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