Facing Fears

This past weekend I had a great opportunity to learn about myself , watch God at work, and encourage others.  My daughter's girl scout troop went Wonderworks at Broadway at the beach in Myrtle Beach, SC.  It's this new science museum that looks a an upside down house  fell from the sky on the outside.
The entrance looks like that ,also.  You have to go through a tunnel to get  right sided up.  There are all kinds of things for all ages in there: experiments, a roller coaster simulator, pedalbikes that go upside down, lazer tag,  and a ropes course.  Outside there is a zip line and an additional ropes course. 

We did not do the outside  things, but we did everything else.  I played lazer tag and scored a 0.  I kept getting shot.  I had never played lazer tag before.  I had never done a ropes course before either, and I did it twice.  I did better the second time.  I got further.  But I was so impressed with my daughter, Anna.  She was the only girl her age in the troop that did the ropes course.  And she kept going until our time ran out.  On the last one she got scared and began to cry.  By that time she and I were by ourselves as one parent went back and another parent went the other way.  But after a few minutes, Anna still upset,  went across the last rope section.  I was right behind her.   I was so proud of  her that she did it afraid, and pushed past her feelings.  She was and is awesome!
We went on to do something else, but later had the opportunity to do the ropes course again, so I did.
I felt like it was something I needed to do.  I had to face fear.  Whether it was fear of heights, fear of falling, fear of messing up, fear of embarssment, or  plain old fear.  I learned that I DO have persistance, that I CAN push past my feelings,  that I AM ABLE to DO ALL things through CHRIST who gives me STRENGTH, and that God IS  with us  no matter where we are or what we are doing.  Even on a field trip at a ropes course. Hallelujah!!! 

At His Say So

Luke 5: 5-6 " Sir," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing.  But if you say so, we'll try again."  And this time their nets were so full they began to tear!

      Do you ever hesitate or ignore when God tells you something?  I do.  A lot more often than I'd like to admit.  I used to reason it out, like, " was that really you God?" or "if that's really you than........"Sometimes I miss Him because of all the negative thoughts in my head. Now, mostly,  my hesitation comes from fear and doubt.  I have lived in the shadows for so long that, even though I am saved, it is hard to step into the light where I belong. 
I was encouraged and reminded through study this morning that Jesus is right there and here knowing me ( knowing ALL about me)  and loving me, and telling me to go again. To try again. 
So, instead of putting up the excuses  or reasons( excuses stuffed with lies), and staying in the shadow of doubts and fear, join me today in stepping into the light once again at God's say so.  After all, it's where we belong.