"PEACE and PRESENCE"
Back to my original topic. :) You know, the ocean is not foreign to me. I'm a SoCal girl and I love my beaches. What's foreign to me would be if the Lord asked me to walk upon the waves, as Peter did for a few moments. What's foreign to me would be if the Lord asked me to start swimming in the ocean, beyond the horizon that my physical eye can see, and ask me to swim until I can swim no longer. It is NEW to me- it even seems out of range of what I am capable of doing! Peter was a fisherman- he was used to being on the water. What he wasn't used to was walking on the water. When Jesus told Peter to "come", Peter came. He began to walk on the water towards Jesus. But the moment he took his eyes off of Jesus and paid attention to the crashing waves around him, he began to sink. (Of course Jesus did not allow him to sink.)
We are not called to focus on circumstances, we are not meant to focus on anything but Jesus. Matthew 6:33 says: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
The Lord is faithful to call us out into the unknown because He does not desire for anything to hinder us from the fullness He has for us. The Lord is faithful to lead us into things that seem bigger than us, because He desires for us to not only fully rely on Him, but also to know that with Him we truly can do anything!
When the Lord calls you forward, you don't have to be afraid of not being adequate, not being prepared or of any type of fear you face or might face. The Lord has prepared the way FULLY, for He goes before you, He goes with you and He goes behind you. He is within you, He is around you, He surrounds you.
We don't have to be afraid for perfect love casts out fear, and not only is God love- but He lives within you. So you have Love living within you, which means fear has no place in your life because God who is love is in you and fear cannot continue on in the presence of the Almighty God. Perfect love casts out all fear!!!
So with whatever the Lord has asked of you, whatever He is calling you towards- simply obey. Place your trust in Him and walk in simple obedience. You were made for more. You were made to change the world, one step at a time. Don't be afraid to walk forward or step out. Keep your eyes on Jesus and allow Him to guide you as He walks forward with you. I can only imagine what the Lord has planned for you. Blessings to you all! I love you.