I was still trying to sort through God’s plans and muster the faith to move across the country to an unknown city, a friend considering the same kind of leap. We were on a walk one fall afternoon, watching the sun set behind the Rocky Mountains, when she said, “I don’t know… If I were younger like you, maybe. But at 30 years old, I can’t do something like that. I missed my chance.” I was 29, and according to her it was my last year to live it up and take a risk.
Best case scenario, it was some sort of, “oh, you’re so preciously young and naive” approach to discussing my dreams to make herself feel better in her moment of uncertainty. But the reality is, at least to some degree she actually believed the words she said.
Listen, I’m not even gonna circle around the issue here. You are simply not too young or too old to walk in obedience and pursue the life God planned out for you. If there is a dream in your heart, there is a God who put it there, and it doesn’t have an expiration date. The time is now. You didn’t miss your shot. Turning 30 or 40 or 50 does not instantly disqualify you. Your lack of effort is the only thing that can pull you out of the race marked out for you.
Maybe my friend was supposed to stay in Colorado. But if fear or insecurity was what kept her there, then she was living as a slave to a lie from the pit of hell. There’s no sugar-coating it. Will God be with her wherever she is? Of course. But what is God’s BEST plan for her? What could God do THROUGH her if she let go of the fear that kept her imprisoned?
I know my life wouldn’t have progressed much if I hadn’t moved. Transitioning to Nashville was the catalyst for so much personal growth. It opened the door to do so many new and cool opportunities to build God’s kingdom. I shudder to think what I would have forfeited if I had stayed in Colorado simply because moving to an unknown city didn’t make sense to me.
What God asks us to do doesn’t have to make sense to us. God doesn’t ask us to understand; He asks us to obey.
We trick ourselves when we think and overthink about what we’re called to do. We assume we’re being prudent. We want to make sure we make the right decisions on the way there. But it paralyzes us into doing nothing.
I feel such an urgency lately for people to do the thing God asked them to do. I want to see the Church actually, for the reals, rise up and pursue their purpose. What did God put you here on earth to do? Are you doing it, or are you just thinking and talking about it? Are you afraid to take the first step because it feels big like moving across the country? Are you waiting for another sign that it’s what you’re supposed to be doing?
“Give God something to bless.” My friend Naomi said that to me one night. It’s written on my heart forever now.
God can’t bless a vision unless we put it into play. God can’t bless all the dreams we have unless we actually do something to accomplish them. God can’t move your feet in the right direction if you’re sitting on them. Talking is easy. Dreaming is easy. Overcoming fear and activating the discipline to actually DO… that’s where people get tripped up. That’s where dreams die.
Be a Doer. Talking about your dreams isn’t enough. Wondering if you should or shouldn’t isn’t enough. You have to actually pursue them. Chase them like they stole your purse. Get up before the sun. Give your Saturdays, your Sunday afternoon nap times, your corporateland lunch breaks to DO the thing you love to talk about. Doing is the greatest weapon against your fear. Doing is the thing that proves the haters wrong. You have to drown out the lies with doing, not thinking.
If you’re looking for a sign, this is it. Try the thing you’re thinking about. If it’s wrong, God will direct your steps into what is right.
We don’t have anymore time to waste. Nothing will ever happen if all your ideas are just bouncing around in your head. Nothing will happen if you are afraid you’ve missed your chance. We can’t let anyone or anything talk us out of it. We can’t overthink it. We can’t believe the lies that we’ve missed our chance or that we’re not experienced enough to start. We have to do something – anything. Give God something to bless. Let’s go!
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