SERVE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE
Ashley Beam
Today’s Scripture: “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:22-25, NLT
Theme: Don’t stay on the sidelines; take action!
PUERTO RICO
Have you ever had an opportunity that seemed like a bigger task than you could handle? This past April, on a trip to Puerto Rico, God told me that I would be coming back with a group of adults. Was I excited? Yes! Was I nervous? Yes! I don’t have a lot of travel experience and I am younger than half of the team I would be leading. Yet for seven days, our team experienced God moving in ways that no one was prepared for.
UNCERTAIN
When God calls us to do something outside of our comfort zone, we can feel anxious, uncertain, or even just scared. When God called him to lead, Moses balked: “But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’” (Exodus 3:11, NLT). God reminds Moses “I will be with you” and “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:12a, 14, NLT). You see, it wasn’t about Moses’ self-doubt. It’s about God’s ability, who He is, and the plan that He had for Moses and His people.
GOD’S PLANS, WHEREVER YOU ARE
If I had not listened to God and led the team to Puerto Rico, each of the team members would have missed the chance to experience God. One would not have been baptized. A new friendship would not have formed. Two hearts would not have been awakened to missions.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT). God may have called me to action while I was in Puerto Rico, but many times, God calls us to serve wherever our feet are.
Make It Personal: What is that one thing God has called you to do that you are uncertain about? Is it to go somewhere you don’t know anyone? Is it using skill sets you don’t think you have? Author Mark Batterson says in his book The Circle Maker, “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
Pray: Lord, You know the desires of my heart. Speak to me and show me Your desires. I want to be obedient to You. Give me the confidence to step out in faith and go where You have called my feet to be. Amen.
Read: Exodus 3
Weekly Memory Verse: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3, ESV