It was the summer of 2013. I'd spent most of the Spring traveling with my sister to women's ministry events, and I was sure that the Holy Spirit was showing me the need for similar events designed to minister to men. It seemed that everywhere we turned, we received confirmation that this was God's will.
Yet, I was unsure how to overcome two significant issues that, at the time, seemed insurmountable.
First, there were the issues of insecurity and fear. I mean, no one was asking me to do these events. I was well aware that it was totally out of our place to suggest they needed to be done, let alone offer to lead them. Fear of rejection, failure, and not wanting to offend those in leadership made me think that God needed to share this vision with someone with more experience.
The other major obstacle was money. Mostly, we didn't have any. Following God's call to hold conferences meant we had to invest the minuscule personal emergency fund we'd worked so hard to save. If nobody came to the events or something happened in our personal lives, financially, we were sunk.
So we did nothing. Until one evening when we were live-streaming a session of the Assemblies of God General Council Service, and Pastor Choco was speaking.
When he said, "If you are too afraid to do what God has called you to do, you don't even belong in ministry," it hit me like a lightning bolt between the eyes. Right away, I called the head of our district's Men's Ministry and made an appointment to discuss starting Mantour Ministries. (I'm sure he loved that since he was at the conference where Choco spoke—but I was passionate!)
Over the next few weeks, we took a leap of faith and once again followed God's call out of simple obedience. What frightening steps they were at the time.
I felt very much like Abraham when he packed his bags and followed God into a new land without knowing where he was going or the twelve disciples who chose to follow Jesus without knowing where it would lead. All we knew was that God said "Go," and we chose to follow, leaving the rest to Him.
Of course, this wasn't the first or the last time God asked us to follow Him and take a leap of faith, and there have been many more leaps since. Each one has reinforced to me the Biblical truth that if you want to walk in God's calling for your life, one of the requirements is faith.
Honestly, I'll admit that it isn't always easy. I remember that I was shaking as I went to the meeting to share God's vision with the people who needed to approve it. It was scary when we had to put our tiny savings account on the line to pay for the start-up costs. In fact, I remember Adessa said, "We can plan four events. It's all we can afford; if we lose it all, at least we won't have debt." (By the way, we did seven events that year.)
When we announced the events, we had no idea what would happen. Would anyone come? Did men want conferences designed for them? Would people get behind the idea or laugh us out of town? Would they say, "Who is this guy and his sister?" or would they take a chance and give this new idea a try?
These thoughts went through our minds as we took those first few steps of faith. So, yeah, I understand how hard it can be to follow God blindly. Yet, it isn't about how hard it is—-it's about obeying the One Who called you. It isn't just about whether or not we are afraid or whether we want to do what God is asking. It's a matter of obedience and choosing to please God versus disobedience.
Today, I have a question for you: "What step of faith is God asking you to take to walk in your calling?"
Because the principle of living a life of faith doesn't just apply to people in ministry.
The possibilities are endless, but the question remains the same. “When God tells you to take a step of faith, will you obey?”
Are you willing to say, "WHATEVER IT TAKES, I will follow You?"
Even as you say those words, are you willing to put in the effort needed to partner with God to see your step of faith come to fruition?
Do you want to live a life of faith or fear?
Ultimately, the choice is up to you.
Do you want to live a life of faith leading to you living in God's calling for you?
An essential step is following God in faith.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)