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This last weekend, my husband got a text message from one of the ladies at a retreat saying that I went all ‘geek’ on them.
Hahaha – If you know me, I am anything but geek, but I knew exactly why someone might say that. I started the last session of the retreat, with a video clip of the original opening scene from TV show Star Trek.
I wasn’t going ‘geek’ on them, I had a point, I promise. God has called us to BOLDLY GO!
The opening dialogue for the TV show Star Trek with its amazing musical score is:
“Space the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. It’s 5 year mission, To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before.
For 178 episodes spread over seven seasons, the crew of the Enterprise carried out the objectives of their mission on Star Trek. – Later, they had to change the wording of the opening after they hit the 5 year mark to… “It’s continuing mission.” The crew of the Enterprise was on a quest to “explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no man has gone before.”
What if we, as believers, are called to a continuing mission as well?
Imagine how our walk with Jesus would change if we viewed our calling like this.
Earth – the final frontier. These are the stories of the BOLD followers of Jesus. Their ongoing mission – to Explore New Truths – to Seek our God’s Revelation and Release Kingdom Life to the citizens of Earth – To Boldly GO where no follower of Jesus has gone before!
Last week, in Part 1 of No More Excuses, I was struck by how I can be like Gideon. Gideon reminded God of his shortcomings and made excuses for why he was the wrong person for the task at hand. When God shows up on the scene and calls out my destiny, I don’t want to see my limitations and weaknesses. I don’t want to make excuses. I instead want to hold on to the promises and believe. I want to Boldly Go forward and walk where God is calling me to go!
Many of us want to know what Gods plan/purpose for our life is, but we are not even sure we know how to find. It’s a common thought that God’s guidance and purpose for our life will come to us out of the blue, and that it has nothing to do with what we’re doing now.
A good friend of mine said that when she was searching for God’s purpose for her life, He asked her a simple question: “What’s your passion?”
Tweet ThisWhat are you passionate about?
When I look at Scripture, I notice that God often called people when they were completely immersed in the challenges of the moment. Gideon wasn’t the first nor was he the last person to tell God He had chosen the wrong person.
Here are 4 life lessons from Gideon that we can identify and learn from as we begin to boldly go.
- God’s Promises should not be followed by our excuses
We are each called to serve God in specific ways. Even though God promises the tools and strengths we need, we often make excuses. God will often give us a promise or speak to our hearts about a task that He has for us. However, have you noticed that eventually, we begin to make excuses as to why God chose the wrong person, or we complain it’s too big for us to do?
When we get focused on our situation and circumstances, we often miss the very encouragement and heart of God for us.
In the beginning Gideon failed to see and therefore he failed to believe that God could work through him to save the people. God had a purpose for Gideon, and he does for us too.
Gideon only saw his limitations and weaknesses – he failed to see recognize God could work through him. Yet, God gives Gideon a promise – You are a Mighty Warrior! Some versions say: “Mighty Man of Valor.” God has just spoken a promise over Gideon. God will be with him and give him the strength he needs to overcome the opposition. God will do the same for you and I as well.
Let’s purpose to not spend time making excuses – instead let’s spend it doing what God has for us.
- Awaken to your Destiny
Gideon had to be awakened to his destiny and often the same is true of us. God expands and uses the abilities He has already given us.
In spite of what we see as our limitations and failures – God see’s our potential and gives us a name in line with our destiny. (I will talk more about our names in next week’s post.)
When the angel shows up, he speaks Gideon’s destiny!
- Mighty Warrior – Mighty Man of Valor
He calls out the answer to all of Gideon’s and the Israelites feelings and presenting problems. Gideon couldn’t see anything other than his own limitations and weaknesses.
- Take great risk when following God – Be BOLD
Gideon experienced fear at many places in his journey of obeying God. However, he overcame fear to be bold and do the things God asked him to do. Gideon even made it into the Hall of fame in Hebrews 11. This gives me great hope when fear comes in my direction too.
In Judges 6:25-30 – God tells Gideon to tear down the other idols, but it was a considerable risk to Gideon to follow God’s command. As soon as the people (Israelite’s) saw what had happened they wanted to kill Gideon for what he had done.
- Sometimes following God Boldly means the people who should be supporting you will criticize you
- Sometimes when you begin to accomplish the very thing God has purposed for you to do (Destiny) opposition will come
- Rely on God not yourself.
As you continue to read the story of Gideon in Judges 7:1-14, you will notice he had to rely on God not himself as he went into battle. We need to do the same. If we have an attitude of self-sufficiency it can cause us to believe we can do what needs to be done in our own strength.
To prevent this attitude God takes Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300 so the men could not take credit for the soon to come victory.
Put your confidence in God and you can be confident of victory.
The thing I appreciate the most about how God walked with Gideon though to the end, was that He allowed Gideon his feelings, but He didn’t allow Gideon to use them as an excuse.
God understood and knew that Gideon was afraid (Judges 7:10-11 ) but he didn’t let Gideon off the hook. He didn’t let fear be an excuse for Gideon and he didn’t excuse Gideon from his duties either.
Instead, he allowed Gideon to gain courage and boldness by hearing a conversation in the enemy’s camp and He does the same for us.
God knows when we are afraid, alone, and discouraged and will often send us encouragement sometimes in the most unlikely of places.
God makes beautiful things out of us, and our shortcomings. He provides the tools we need for each task He has called us to.
When He calls out my destiny, I want to grab a hold of it. I want to obediently move forward, in His power and His strength.
No More Excuses!
Let’s Boldly go Together!
Are you with me?
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You are speaking to my heart! I love “God makes beautiful things out of us, and our shortcomings” I praise Him for that!! I need to read this more than once so I don’t forget these truths!
Winter – I am so glad the words in my post touched you and spoke to your heart. He sure does make beautiful things out of us (the good, the bad and the not so pretty areas of us) – doesn’t He?! I am so glad you stopped by for a visit. Blessings to you.
Count me in, Debbie.
Love that you made a Star Trek analogy! We need to view our calling to share the Good News as an adventure. 🙂
Thanks Lyli and yes, we most definitely do need to look at it as an adventure. You never know who you will meet, or whose life you will change as you go. thanks for stopping by.
How funny about going all “geeky!” Thanks for joining us at #FridayFrivolity this week!
Lisa – it was kinda funny when they called me geeky – hahaha never in a million years would I have ever thought someone would say that about me! LOL thanks for visiting
To know our passion, our purpose, and go boldly. I love it. Easy to remember and so important to apply. Thanks so much for sharing this at CMB. Blessings!
Deb – thanks for stopping by and leaving some encouragement for me.
“Rely on God, not yourself.” This is something I have been praying daily before I ever hit one letter on my keyboard. I have been saying,”Lord, what do you want me to write? I can’t do this without you.” And He has been showing up big time. AND it means being super open with people. I prayed that He would allow me to share my messy past all the while growing up in church, and now He is requiring me to be super vulnerable in order to actually share that Hope in my testimony. I love your blog, thanks for encouraging us and sharing your wisdom!
Meghan- Me too!! I so can’t do it without Him and nor do I want to. I am so glad you are able to share your testimony and deposit seeds of Hope in people while you do. I am all about being authentic and vulnerable and it sounds like you are as well. I am so glad you stopped by today and found my words encouraging to you. I am going to hop on over to your site as well.
I so appreciate you!!! Keep on shining, Debbie!!
Thanks Meghan – You too! 🙂
Debbie,
What an important message for us here! I am encouraged greatly by your words and sharing of Gideon’s story. Let’s go boldly!
Thank you so much and thanks for visiting as well. Yes, Let’s boldly Go!
Ah yes, the boldness. How often I forget that God is… God! When He calls me to do something, He’s got me covered. I don’t have to rely on little ol’ me and my insecurities and fears— HE IS GOD! Thanks so much for this reminder. Your neighbour at Fresh Market Fridays 🙂
Laura – You are so welcome and you are so right… He does indeed have us covered! I am glad that I am not the only one that sometimes ‘forgets’ God is God! haha thank goodness He is God and we don’t have to rely on ourselves. I so appreciate your visit today – blessings to you!
Funny… I actually talking about this same kind of thing this coming weekend at a retreat/conference! Good stuff, friend! Thanks! (Your neighbor at Holley’s place)
Rachel – I love how God works and moves in His whole body – no matter where we are, or where we live, He always gets His message out to His kids. Praying for your retreat this upcoming weekend. May you release boldness and courage over the women as you share.
I love it! As a Trekkie, I totally get it. It would be awesome if all CHristians viewed their walk this way!To boldy go…. I remember a friend saying that anytime you put ‘but’ in a sentence, you void the first part of it….I love you, but… I know God can, but… I would go, but…we need to cut out those “but”s and follow. Thanks for sharing!
Robbi – I am so glad you get understand and get where I am coming from ! Hahaha I love what your friend said to you – – no more but’s we need to definitely cut them out!!! You should totally write a blog post about that! Have an awesome day.
Loved this. As a person who allowed fear to rule her life way to long, I am encouraged by this. Thanks for the push to get past the excuses and get going!
Mindy — I am so glad I was able to encourage you with my words….and I too used to let fear rule me…. You are so welcome for the gentle push to get going 🙂
I love the story of Gideon. It has always inspired me to trust God more. You make some great points here about being bold for God.
Thank you for linking with Grace and Truth last week.
Dawn, thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
Excellent advice, Debbie! I loved the Star Trek reference and how you applied it! Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
you absolutely will see me this Sunday – thanks for always taking the time to stop in and comment. I am so glad you liked the Star Trek reference too.
I swear that you’re writing this post just for me. We’ve had a horrendous week with our son’s situation and his ability to make good decisions. And I am reading your post thinking that I need to step back and trust God. But it’s so hard to do when I think that I might lose my son. But perhaps that is the test right now, to see if I really trust the Lord to do what needs to be done for all of us. So I’m going to try to keep this in the Forefront of my mind and allow things to play out and listen for God’s voice. Thank you so much for reminding me to lean on my faith.
Awe Nikki – I am so glad my posts are an encouragement to you. I am so sorry to hear about your son and your thoughts and feelings. I am definitely praying for you and him and for God to show up in a BIG way, and give you His peace and strength as you walk this road out in trusting in Him. I want you to know you are not alone as I am now standing with you in prayer for your son and God’s path for him and his choices.