Be strong and courageous…

I’ve never wanted to run in the other direction so much in my life. I’ve never felt more inadequate or stretched. I am scared. I am overwhelmed. I’m drowning.

A few weeks ago, I saw a painting of Jesus standing on the water, reaching down through the tormented waves for my hand. His face was peaceful, His eyes determined, and the light surrounding Him a stark contrast to the darkness all around.

I remember a conversation I had with God as a senior in high school. He asked me if I could do anything with my life, what would it be? So I shared with Him my dreams. Only a few days later, I received an email that I was nominated to attend a leadership conference in South Africa, and my life took off from there. To tell you all that He has done would totally exhaust you, so we will just stick with this statement: it’s been CRAZY.

I can’t tell you how many times I have had to re-surrender my life. I can’t tell you how hard it has been to be obedient at times. I can’t tell you how many times my efforts have fallen short. I can’t tell you how many times I thought my life was leading in this direction or that direction, and in the end wound up totally confused. However, I have discovered that as chaotic as my life has been the last ten years, it has truly been led in one direction only: straight to the heart of Jesus.

And that’s how I found myself here, struggling for life under these tormented waves. I wanted to live an extraordinary life for Jesus. I wanted to see Him do great things. I saw Him out there and I just wanted to be with Him. I didn’t even step; without thinking I jumped out of that boat! And I walked on that water.

Somehow the storm got loud. Somehow I fell, and all I knew to do was cry out to the only One who could save me now. Turning back isn’t an option. My strength is totally irrelevant here in the depths of the sea. The only thing that matters is that hand reaching down, that face of peace, and those determined eyes of love. “Lord, save me!” the words bubble out of my mouth as I reach with all I have for His hand.

“O ye of little faith, why did you doubt?”

He’s right. My faith is so small. I often doubt my ability to follow Him well. But then I remember that this isn’t my first time swallowed up by waves, and it won’t be my last. I must look like a clumsy idiot to those other disciples. However, there is one thing in me that I know makes His heart smile. I keep getting out of the boat for one reason only: if Jesus is out there on the waves, then I want to be out there with Him.

I want more of my Jesus, every single day, every waking moment. Pour it out on my life, Lord! I want to see God do extraordinary things. I’m not satisfied with anything less than all of His power, all of His presence, and all of His Spirit flowing in and through me. I want the Church to once again shake the gates of hell. Holy Spirit is calling for a rescue, and I want to be the first to volunteer.

So what does that look like for the cities that you and I are in? Ask God to give you a vision. Ask Him to share His heart with you. I am exploring that right now. It’s going to be an exciting year. Let’s go!

My friend posted a video the other night of an amazing conversation with a pizza delivery guy who encountered Jesus and it changed his life. The man went out and in turn impacted the lives of other people. His enthusiasm was really exciting.

I sat next to a guy on the airplane yesterday who, when he found out that I was a Christian, he clammed up, saying that he does not practice any religion. There was pain in his eyes. I asked him how his experience has been with other Christians, and he said, “They’re just like everybody else.” I asked him, “In a negative way?” And he said, “No; they’re just like everybody else.” Then the conversation ended. Part of me was thankful that he did not have negative feelings toward Christians, but I couldn’t be too sure where the pain was coming from. Ultimately, I was sad that his experience with Christians was that they were “just like everybody else.” Ladies and gents, this SHOULD NOT BE.

Meeting a Christian should be like a wondrous alien encounter. It should be MEMORABLE. It should be CONVICTING. It should be stuffed and overflowing with LOVE. People should walk away from meeting a Christian thinking, “Wow, that was SOMETHING.”

Let’s look at Jesus for a moment. People wouldn’t leave Him alone anywhere He went. Why? Because an encounter with Jesus was powerful. Sickness went running for its life. Demons came pouring out of guys in legions. A suffering heart met grace and sin met its maker and stayed in the slimy pit from which it came. The dead were raised and pride was dashed into the ground.

I say that I want to be like Jesus, but do these things happen when people have an encounter with me? Nope. I rejoice when I have a good conversation with someone, but the truth is…there is so much more transformational power longing to be at work in and through us. I don’t know what impression that guy walked away with yesterday. Honestly, it was a confusing moment and I literally didn’t know what to say or do. However, it brought to light to me how much more I need to pray for an awareness of Holy Spirit in every moment, so that I might connect with what He is already doing in the lives of the people around me. I don’t want to be “just like everybody else” in anybody’s life. Call me extraterrestrial; I don’t care. I want people to meet Jesus when they meet me.

So that’s my prayer, now and forever. The deep desire of my life…that all would truly KNOW Him. He is so amazing! He captures my heart every day! However, I need Him to capture me in a greater way, so that there exists no missed opportunity for someone to encounter Him through me. Today, here we come!