Tuesday, August 09, 2011

#211 "If I Perish, I Perish"

During my quiet time this morning, I was reminded of the day, almost six years ago, when I had my first confirmation from God that I would be called to a new avenue of ministry. At the time, I was heavily involved in doing Outreach Ministry on the east side of Detroit. Stirring on the inside of me was a divine discontent with what I was doing, but I fought it for a long, long time. Through a series of circumstances, some that weren't so swell, God finally had my attention. What I felt God was saying at the time seemed absurd. I thought I was making it up in my bleached blonde head. It wouldn't go away. It was there at all times. It was scary. I ignored.


God had to put me on the backside of a mountain, away from what I had given my time and gifting to for so long, in order to prepare me for what lie ahead. One day He spoke to me so loud and clear through the pages of Scripture that I needed to take off my shoes. I was standing on Holy Ground. It was scary. This time I could not ignore. 

I underlined. I circled. I wrote the date next to the word in my Bible. What God said to me from a burning bush changed the course of everything, and still drives me today. 


The road hasn't been easy. You have to crawl before you walk, and I've done my share of crawling,  trying to walk, falling, getting brushed off, and going again.  It's been an uphill climb. It's been scary. I've still struggled with the ignoring part. God always leads me back to the commission. To the "what He wants me to do." Little steps of faith have grown year after year into huge leaps. Has it been worth it? You betcha it has!

I want to do big things for God. Big things require prayer, sacrifice and faith that when you can't see an inch in front of you, you take a step anyway.

God has been opening doors for me lately that sometimes scare me to death. I know that it's God because I've done nothing to orchestrate them. They have required me to sacrifice some important things for a season. They have required me to fall on my knees and pray like never before. They have required me to step out in faith when I'm so sure there will be nothing under my feet and I will fall, fall, fall, until I come crashing down. 

Then He reminds me that Moses had to raise the staff in order to part the Red Sea.   



He reminds me that David had to release the stones from the sling in order to slay Goliath. 



He reminds me that Peter had to step out of the boat in order to walk on the water.



He reminds me that Esther had to go against all protocol of the Persian palace to get an audience with the king and save a nation.




The voice of Mordecai rings in my ears saying, "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

It can be scary. It can feel absurd. 

I will obey.
 
And if I perish, I perish.












Finding Joy

28 comments:

  1. Donna, I pray God will use you in incredible ways as you step out in faith and obey Him. And I know others will be blessed as well.

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  2. Oh , I so identify with this! I've been walking through doors lately that have seemed absurd, and yet the blessings just rain down from there, (the other side of the door) because Jesus is there leading me on, guiding and blessing as I continue to walk forward...obedience...it is scary and it is wonderful! :)
    Your post encourages me on, thank you!

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  3. I can SO relate. What a wonderful post. I had to release things and hide in a cave for awhile myself. I am still coming out, but things feel awkward and uncomfortable.

    "I want to do big things for God. Big things require prayer, sacrifice and faith that when you can't see an inch in front of you, you take a step anyway." --> amen!

    Bless you!
    Beth

    http://mydestinysharinghope.com/

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  4. Praying for your ministry. May the Lord bless you with all the right opportunities.

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  5. Donna, this is my first visit here. I found you through the LACE links. So beautiful!

    Gina

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  6. Wow -- what an amazing time for you. I pray that you will continue to be fueled by His Holy Spirit and that you continue to encounter Him in such powerful ways. Your spirit of surrender is beautiful.

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  7. Great post...thank you for sharing. Our first year on the mission field the song Trust and Obey played over and over in my head.

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  8. You wrote: "God has been opening doors for me lately that sometimes scare me to death. I know that it's God because I've done nothing to orchestrate them. They have required me to sacrifice some important things for a season. They have required me to fall on my knees and pray like never before. They have required me to step out in faith when I'm so sure there will be nothing under my feet and I will fall, fall, fall, until I come crashing down."

    That is so powerful. I feel like I could have written these words!! I have an opportunity that has been presented to me that scares so much. I feel failing. I fear rejection. But, I know that it has to be from the Lord, as I have done nothing to bring it up. I just keep praying for His direction and His will.
    Thank you for linking in with my Blog Hop at Adventures in the Ordinary.

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  9. Thanks so much for linking up with The Wednesday Word yesterday. This is a great post. It looks like many of us find ourselves in the same position. It's awesome how God does that :) Blessings to you as you walk through these unforseen doors...I have a feeling you will find great peace through them.

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  10. Our greatest moments are when we are clinging to God for each new step. Total dependency.

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  11. YES! Stepping out in faith is hard but that is what we're called to do! Praying as you take those next steps! Thanks for joining us at ICDevos today! We're blessed!

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  12. "Big things require prayer, sacrifice and faith that when you can't see an inch in front of you, you take a step anyway." This is so true. I used to believe that faith does not require action. But as I matured, I realized that it takes a lot of effort. It is not enough for a person to say that he has faith; he has to show that he does.

    May God continue to give you strength as you fulfill the mission He has given to you. :-)

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  13. oh, this is so powerful... i have felt this divine discontent lately too, friend... thank you for spurring us on, for this powerful push... you are beautiful. xo

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  14. Hello,
    Prayers for your ministry.I can relate to your struggle.
    God Bless
    Barb from Australia

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  15. I love that line from Esther. It is one of my favorites. I will pray for your new ministry.

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  16. Hi - just found you through Rachel Martin's blog. 12 years ago, I stepped out in faith and I obeyed God. The repercussions ripped my life apart and I still live with them every day. I've been on "the backside of the mountain" for 12 years. I really desire that God will use me to help others, but I have no idea how he'll do that. I try to believe all the pain will be worth it someday. It's hard to have faith that God will bring beauty out of all the brokenness. But that's his specialty I guess! Glad I visited!

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  17. Coming from Studio JRU - These words are still powerful, 6 years later...isn't that the way it is with words of life? They are always giving that life!

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  18. Faith is a wildly scary but wonderful thing. I'm glad you decided to follow the Lord's call. It will be worth it!

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  19. Oh how HE works! I love to hear stories of God working in lives. It is beautiful and wonderful! It sounds like HE has an amazing path for you. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  20. Hello, I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I am a new follower via the Blog Hop. I really enjoyed reading your blog and I am so happy that I found you. I am excited about sharing my blog Super Single Mom and Her Side Kids with you. Please follow back when you can!
    Http://www.ssmandhersidekids.blogspot.com
    Http://www.twitter.com/sidekids

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  21. The only safe path is the path of obedience, and if we perish, we perish. Thank you for these encouraging words.

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  22. Taking that first step of obedience if often the hardest part, isn't it? Bless you for heeding the call. Praying for you in this place.

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  23. I love how God totally changes our course in an awe inspiring way. He's a BIG God of BIG things. I love how you wrote and illustrated the Biblical characters all doing their part when God used them in big ways. I've never thought of that before but it's beautiful and I think it will stay with me for a while as I ponder whether I'm doing my part in God's big plan for me.

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  24. I'm so happy that Shanda (above) commented, because your journey and words remind me of hers. You two should be BFFs! I'm so thankful for godly women like you who seek the face of Jesus and step out in faith. I was blessed to read this today. Here from the Wellspring.

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  25. I returned after reading your comment to me. It is scary when we feel God calling us to things beyond what we have the ability or power to do on our own. It is all about trusting and relying on him...but still scary. And humbling that God would entrust us with His work.

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  26. The words of Mordecai and then Esther's response always slays my heart, for He has placed us here, in this time and place, for His Purpose.

    And He gives the choice...to obey or not...praying for you as you obey His Voice.

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  27. What an inspired and inspiring post. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us and thank you for listening to God and letting Him point the way for you. We all need to do that. That's for sure.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  28. Yes yes yes!!!! Always obey!! Well done!! Amazing! I love it!

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