I have a funny story for you. I used manage a team of tax preparers and one  summer I also taught a group of new tax preparers. I have one of my students that is outstanding at the tax concepts and she is a great receptionist. But she is refusing to do the taxes because she is afraid of the conversation flow with the client. She is already doing each of the tasks separately. Tax preparation is intimating for the average person and equally so for the new preparers. But we know as managers that we have to break the fear off of our new preparers.  It is like jumping into a cold lake. It’s only cold for a second. And we, managers, call it breaking the ice. We try to have them break the ice as soon as possible because then they have more time to strengthen their skills. But here is the thing, once you do it, the fear that is griping you, looses a lot of its control over you. 

So Go! Get Wet! Do the Mission God has for you! Stop being entangled by fear!

It is usually not actually as hard as you have worked up in your mind.

Hebrews is hands down my favorite book of the Bible! Closely Followed by John, Daniel, and Isaiah. And there is a  verse that is so close to my heart. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

I appreciate People that have unending mirth! I am not blessed with optimism. But this verse taught me what Joy is. Joy can be mirth. But Joy is rather an abiding peaceful, hopeful, understanding that it is finished. Amen. It is beyond disrespectful to think one could walk up to Paul after a flogging and say, “Smile dude, Jesus wins!” But we do that an awful lot to our bothers and sisters facing all kinds of suffering and persecution. It may not be ok, but it is well with our soul. God allows that it is not ok right now, but it is well with our souls. He makes it well. 

I can abide and persevere in terrible times because of the Joy set before me that is Jesus Messiah. Please don’t mis-understand. I’m not volunteering for abuse or suffering, none of us want it, but rather I am going about His mission according to His will, and my life is his to do with as he pleases.

Obedience is faith and faith is obedience. Trust only comes from 2 places, gratitude and or respect. A person is not capable of great sacrificial obedience unless they trust the authority. Do you trust God? Is God Good? When we are faced with the most daunting times, we need proofs of His goodness. That is way we always ask for your stories of His Faithfulness. He has proved it to me. Has he proved it to you? What was that moment? Tell me the story of the moment you knew He would never leave you or forsake you.

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May He smile on you and be gracious to you. May He show you His favor and give you peace.

Jett