Thursday, April 25, 2013

Standing on the Sidelines

Hey Friend,

With all the evil taking place in this world...I dedicate this post to encouraging men and women of faith to rise up and share their faith with those lost and living in a dark world.

When Nicole was six and a half and Steven was two, Nicole used to have soccer games on Saturday mornings.  I would go and cheer her on from the sidelines.  Steven, however, was not content to merely stand on the sideline, he wanted to be IN the game and would pull away from me and run onto the field after the ball.  One morning, after multiple times of scooping my son off the field, the ref kindly suggested that I go elsewhere.  Embarrassed, Steven and I slunk our way to the safety of the nearby play area.

Lately, I've been asking myself, why don't I have the tenacity that my two year old had? Why, when it comes to sharing my faith am I content to stand on the sidelines?  Perhaps one answer is procrastination (after all it has taken me 52 years to finally write my blog).  It is so easy to say, "I'll do that tomorrow."  Satan is all too glad when we let laziness overcome our conviction.  But, the reality is...our days are numbered.

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  (Psalm 90:12)

And, not to be morbid, what if tomorrow never comes?  Or how do we know how much time we have?

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.  The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare."  (2 Peter 3:10)

Another hindrance is self-doubt.  We doubt our ability to share eloquently the good news of the gospel.  But God doesn't care about our ability, He cares about our availability.  Get in the game and the coach (God) will call the plays and give you the words.  Sometimes we are suited up to go into the game, but when the Coach actually says, "You're in", we freeze like a deer in the headlights.  Don't despair though, you are in good company.  Many famous leaders like Moses, Jonah and the Apostles wanted to run the other way when God called them to be a light unto His people. Eventually, though, they obeyed. 

Mix in a good old dose of fear and we'll stand on the sidelines forever.  But God has not given us a spirit of fear...

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

Being a light unto a dark world will call you outside your comfort zone.  I can guarantee that, but you don't go alone.

"See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared."  (Exodus 23:20)

We need to be about the Lord's business.  That is our calling.  We need to be a giant directional arrow pointing to God.  Where's your arrow pointing?

"Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day."  (1 Chronicles 16:23)

The world needs you.  Only you can share your personal testimony.  It is your thumbprint and no two prints are alike.  Someone, somewhere, needs to hear what you have to say in only the way that you can say it.  God has uniquely equipped you to spread the good news through words and deeds.

So I ask you, "Are you content to stand on the sidelines?"  Or are you ready to say, "Coach put me in?"

"No one knows the exact hour of Christ's return not even Christ himself."  (Mark 13:32)

I pray you will go with God's speed into the game, bravely throwing off all hindrances, and making a mark in a way only you can do!

Love,

Bev

14 comments:

  1. Bev, What perfect timing with this post. Before I opened I had actually spent my morning asking God in prayer to help me move past my fear in sharing my faith with others. I was with a group of ladies last night and I mentioned how many times I fear I will share it wrong...say the wrong things.
    "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." - 1 Peter 3:15
    These words from Peter are on my heart this morning and coming to your site was what God intended for me today.
    "Another hindrance is self-doubt. We doubt our ability to share eloquently the good news of the gospel. But God doesn't care about our ability, He cares about our availability."
    WOW...THANK YOU! I can't say enough how much I needed these words and all you shared in this message.
    I'm so very grateful for you and our new online friendship. You are a blessing.

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  2. Beth,
    Like your blog title "Simply Beth", you share your faith with beauty and simplicity that others can truly relate to. From your trials in life, God is bringing triumphs for others!! Keep "being Beth"! You have so much to give. I thank God for you friend! Always,
    Bev
    ps, check out Beth's blog "Simply Beth" it's wonderful!!

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  3. Gorgeous!

    And I'm in, Sister! {high-five}

    Have a great day, Bev. xo

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  4. Raise you a high-five!! Thanks, Kristen for your continued encouragement and inspiration! Bev xo

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  5. Great blog - as always, girl! This one really hit home as i fear i do NOT led God use me in that way....... The verses you chose are golden!
    Thanks for the "shove" forward.

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  6. Lisa,
    Hope I gave an encouraging nudge vs. a shove forward :). Most of the time when I am writing, I am talking to myself. I just give you the option of listening in. Love you, B

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  7. Thanks for stopping by my blog, and I loved stopping by yours! We do need to persistent with what we feel called to do for Christ...just like our kids are so persistent for our attention. If we gave others our unbridled energy and voices like the children...what a difference can be made! Great post! Keep dreaming sweet sister in God-sized dreams!

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  8. I loved reading your post today. Such true, needful words! Thank you for being a channel of blessing to me and to others....thank you for sharing what God has placed in your heart. So thankful for Holley and the way she has enabled all of us GSD's to connect and meet! What a blessing! Love, Cheryl

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    Replies
    1. Cheryl,
      Thank you for stopping by! And as a sister GSD, I truly appreciate your encouragement! We'll both keep writing...that the world may know!
      Love,
      Bev

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  9. "The world needs you." We need that reminder. It is a blessing to be needed, to be known.
    Keep dreaming.
    Peace and good to you,
    Chelle

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    1. Chelle,
      You are known and loved and you ARE needed in this world. I'll keep dreaming if you will?!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  10. Replies
    1. Nasreen,
      Thanks sister cyber space dreamer! The world needs YOU!
      Keep dreaming,
      Bev

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