Alone at crossroads, I pause to ponder
Which way is best? Familiar is alluring;
I can close my eyes and stroll from start to end.
I’m a star here; I know the tough and smooth
I know where the ditches and dramas hide
I know where to crawl and where to fly past
I know the escape and alternative routes
I have my success formula with familiar
It may be unimpressive but certain beats unknown
I feel safe and snug cos I know how to roll here.
Unfamiliar reeks risky, scary to my budding faith;
Uncertainties unsettling, unknowns intimidating
Leaves me wondering instead of believing
Crawling in fear instead of walking by faith
Ignorant that unless I rise, I am fallen already
Unless I sack my reservations and preferences
Look past threatening challenges and cloudy confusions
Look to the infallible Guide and His Sure promises
And in trust take every step, I’ll miss amazing miracles
Triggered by the faith of those who dare at crossroads.
We are more willing to experiment within our comfort zones but when God calls beyond the familiar to unusual terrains, we draw back and begin to wonder, “How is this possible?” Like Mary we ask, “How can this be?” We often forget that we serve the God who specializes in impossibilities. Life throws us all the excuses we need to back off, “You are not qualified.” “You’ve never done this before.” Yet, taken by faith, these same excuses that discourage others should be the very reasons to look to God for all the help we need to do that which He calls us to. All He asks of us is not the best qualifications and experiences: God is seeking for willing and available vessels He can fill and use as He pleases. He is seeking servants who will choose again and again, to walk in trust and obedience to the Master and Guide.
While we feel safer with the typical, God delights in stretching us beyond our immediate capabilities in order to enlarge our capacities for Him and for good. His ways are definitely not our ways. Left to ourselves, we will be the same and do the same from year to year because we are more at home with what we are used to. We jump at what we are confident we can succeed at. Otherwise, doubt and fear pull up all the reasons we shouldn’t try the untried and in failing to venture out on adventures with God, we miss the miracles that can become the realities of our daily living. Choosing our familiar ways, we miss God and we miss the glorious life He calls us to.
If Moses didn’t step away from his herding routine, he would have lived and died a shepherd in a strange land, far away from his God, his people and the wonders God had destined for him. If Abraham didn’t trust God enough to step away from the routine “sheep-and-wood-carrying-to-the-mountain” for sacrifice, He wouldn’t have experienced God’s power to provide what was needed when it was needed the most. If David only limited himself to the shepherd boy, he would not have had the courage to challenge a giant warrior to become the champion, the king, and the man after God’s heart. I dare to say this because I am daring to step away from what I have always done and I am experiencing on a daily basis, miracles of God’s presence and power in a world that proudly denies Him.
As I shared in earlier article (January 12, 2018 – Year of Explosive Testimonials), if we continue in our ways, we will miss God. If however we make the choice to step away from our proficiencies, preferences and past achievements, to trust and follow Abba wherever He calls, however He chooses to use us, we will experience that our obedience activates His grace within as He uses our obedience, surrender and faith to work signs and wonders. May you not be content with ‘as-usual” this year.
Blessings
Glory!