"Risk"

Yes, that is the word that has been spoken to me by FOUR different people on FOUR completely seperate occasions in the last 2 weeks!

-The first time, I took it into thought...but definitely didn't seek it out any further.

- The second time, I thought "hmmmm, okay, what is this?" (allowing myself to become more open to the thought.)

- The third time, I was at FULL ATTENTION....yes, okay, this is a word for me! I get it!

- And than today in Sunday School class, when the 4th person spoke "risk" to me, I just had to laugh in amazement. Just in case I didn't quite get it the first 3x, the Lord saw fittin' to put it out there one more time for good measure! haha.

Well, I FINALLY brought the "R" word to the Lord TODAY during my time with Him (what can I say...I'm hard-headed!) I sat out by "the waters" (our condo pool), and responded to Him by journaling my uncertainty of what exactly He was asking of me. Risk what? Risk where? Risk with who? I found myself hesitant to ask Him to reveal it to me! I wasn't sure if I wanted to know! Why? Because, risk means stepping out in uncomfortable waters, risk means forsaking what might be logical with your mind and choosing to walk in faith, risk means putting yourself in a place where you are vulnerable. What it boils down to is that "risk" = UNCERTAINTY! The door began to open to fear and I had to IMMEDIATELY confess it to the Lord to give the enemy NO GROUND on my land! A friend spoke a word of truth over me right at that very moment (thank you Lord!) as I was feeling the oppressive hand of the enemy - to say "but Kim if God is speaking it to you so intensely. Its gonna be so good...SOOO good".

Yes! YES! I receive it! Lord, your Word says you have GOOD plans for me - to prosper me, to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Let me not be afraid of your will and the plans and the purpose you have for my life! Lord, I beg you, let me be afraid of NOT doing your will and missing out on YOU and the plans and purpose your have for me on this earth! Help me to let go of uncertainty, fear, disbelief, and comfort...and grab onto You with both my hands and GO where you are leading me!

Lord - THIS I KNOW:

ANYTHING you ask me to give up for Your namesake, God, YOU WILL replace it with something far more amazing and wonderful and good (whether on this earth, or when I am in heaven).

ANYPLACE you call me to go or ANYTHING you call me to do - YOU WILL be with me! And YOU are faithful!

You led Moses and the Israelites to the edge of the red sea - to a place of absolute surrender! IN FAITH (help me have that kind of faith, Lord!) they stepped into the waters, and YOU MOVED!! They passed through the Red Sea on DRY ground. They saw YOU and experienced YOUR power. They witnessed a MIRACLE right before their eyes as you intervened for your children. I believe you will do the same for me Lord! I believe that anytime you ask me to "take a risk" and step out in complete faith and trust YOU that YOU WILL meet me there! You will show Yourself to me in a greater way than I know now! You will allow me to experience a greater depth of Your power than I know now! You will allow me to witness a miracle in my own life by your intervention on my behalf! I want it Lord! I do!

Holy Spirit, give me courage, give me boldness, give me strength, give me faith to do the will of the Father!!! I know that it is GOD who empowers me with His incomparably great power (Ephesians 1:19). He not only calls, He equips, He empowers, and best of all.....He goes with me!! Thank you Lord!!

I was thinking back over the fears I mentioned above that I had of "risking" and the Lord showed me His TRUTH in regards to those fears:

(1) Stepping out in uncomfortable waters

"DO NOT FEAR, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! "When you pass THROUGH the waters, I will be with you; And THROUGH the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk THROUGH the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you." ~ Isaiah 43:1-2

*Thank you Lord for your promise to bring me THROUGH any trial...that you will NOT leave me or forsake me in the middle. Thank you Lord for your promise to be WITH ME. For though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, I fear NO evil...why? because YOU ARE WITH ME! It is YOUR rod and YOUR staff that comfort me!

(2) Forsaking what might be logical with MY mind

"However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" ~ 1 Cor 2:9

*Lord, let not my mind and its limited understanding hinder me from experiencing you and your plans for me in its fullness!

(3) Putting myself in a place of vulnerability

"Be strong and courageous, DO NOT BE AFRAID or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you....The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. DO NOT BE AFRAID; do not be discouraged."" ~ Deut 31:6, 8

"For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard." ~ Is 52:12b

*Thank you Lord that You go BEFORE me, that You go WITH me, that You go BEHIND me. Even when you call me to a place of vulnerability - I am not alone! Though people or things of this world may fail me, You promise that YOU will not fail me or forsake me. I cling to that promise!

I, still, am not any closer to knowing WHAT God is calling me to risk in...but I trust He will reveal it to me in His time. I am thankful He is preparing me, that He is faithful to speak this Word over me, that He is fighting FOR me, and that He is imparting His truth into me to strengthen my faith to press on towards the prize!

Bottom line: No matter what He calls me to risk - IT WILL BE WORTH IT!