FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Do It Anyway

Have you ever given God what you considered a perfectly good and logical reason for not doing something He was asking you to do?

I certainly have.

More times than I care to admit.

But Lord, I'm not comfortable doing that.

I'm not very good at this.

I'm too old.

I'm not outgoing enough.

I've made my case to the Lord in any number of ways—and some of my arguments have sounded pretty convincing to me.

The problem is, He already knew all those things when He asked.

Still, His quiet voice urges me forward.

Over the years, I've noticed something about the things the Lord has asked of me. Often, they have required something I didn't believe I possessed.

Courage.

Ability.

Confidence.

Sometimes simply the willingness to step beyond what felt safe and familiar.

Yet I've discovered that something happens when I finally stop explaining to God why I can't and simply say:

Yes.

Not because I suddenly feel capable.

Not because the fear disappears.

Not because I finally have everything figured out.

I just take the next step.

And somewhere between my yes and my obedience, I discover His sufficiency.

There have been times when I've looked back afterward, almost dumbfounded by what the Lord accomplished.

Someone was encouraged through a podcast.

Someone was touched by something I had written.

A prayer brought comfort or relief to a hurting person.

And I knew myself well enough to know where the glory belonged.

I could only point upward.

That was the Lord.

Every good and perfect gift comes from above.

Perhaps that's why a familiar account in the book of Joshua has begun speaking to me differently.

The children of Israel were preparing to cross the Jordan River into the land God had promised them. The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant were instructed to go ahead of the people toward the river.

But there is a detail in Joshua 3 that I had overlooked for years.

The Jordan was overflowing its banks.

Imagine standing there.

God has told you to go forward, but the very thing in front of you appears to say, You can't.

The water is flowing quickly.

The river is overflowing.

The way across isn't visible.

And still, God says, Go forward.

The priests' feet had to reach the edge of the water.

Then the waters upstream stood still.

I wonder what went through their minds as they approached that river.

Because I know what sometimes goes through mine.

Lord, are You sure about this?

Maybe You should find somebody better suited.

Perhaps we should wait until conditions improve.

Surely there's another way.

I would much prefer for God to part my Jordan first.

Then I'll step in.

But sometimes He asks for the step before He shows me the way through.

I've had some Jordans of my own.

Not literal rivers, of course.

Mine have looked more like raging waters of doubt, fear, insecurity, and inadequacy.

I could see all the reasons I wasn't equipped.

God could see what He intended to do through a surrendered life.

And again and again, His invitation has been surprisingly simple:

Do It Anyway.

Afraid?

Do It Anyway.

Don't feel qualified?

Do It Anyway.

Outside your comfort zone?

Do It Anyway.

Not because our fears aren't real.

Not because our limitations don't matter.

And certainly not because we can accomplish God's purposes through sheer determination.

We step because the One who called us is the One we are depending upon.

The Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV).

That changes the way I look at my limitations.

Maybe my weakness isn't always evidence that I shouldn't go.

Sometimes it is precisely the place where I will have to depend upon Him.

Perhaps there's something the Lord has been quietly placing on your heart.

It doesn't have to be something enormous.

Maybe there is someone you need to encourage.

A conversation you've been avoiding.

A gift you've been hesitant to use.

A ministry you've been afraid to begin.

A prayer you feel prompted to pray.

A step of obedience that keeps returning to your heart.

I can't tell you what your Jordan is.

And I certainly can't promise what will happen on the other side.

But I can tell you what I've learned from mine:

God is not surprised by what I lack.

He knew my personality when He called me.

He knew my age.

He knew my fears.

He knew my weaknesses.

He knew what I didn't know.

He knew every reason I would eventually give Him for why someone else might be a better choice.

And still He said, Come.

He said: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

(Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)

Perhaps that's the question for us:

What might we attempt for Christ if we stopped waiting to feel completely capable before obeying Him?

We have been brought into His kingdom for such a time as this, placed among people we can influence, and entrusted with gifts and experiences He already knows completely.

Our limitations don't cancel His purposes.

They remind us whose strength we need to fulfill them.

So when the Lord makes the next step clear, we don't need to see the entire riverbed.

We don't need to know exactly how everything will work out.

We don't even have to feel brave.

We can simply say:

Yes, Lord.

And put one foot forward.

Not because we know what we can do—

but because we know, trust, and love the One who has called us.

Perhaps there's a Jordan in front of you today.

If the Lord is truly calling you forward, don't let the sight of the raging waters convince you that He has forgotten what He's doing.

Trust Him.

Take the step.

Afraid?

Do It Anyway.

Unsure?

Do It Anyway.

Feeling completely inadequate?

Do It Anyway.

Not because you are sufficient for the task, but because the One who called you is.

So when He says go, may we trust Him enough to say:

Yes, Lord.

And Do It Anyway.

Because we are here, in Christ, with a purpose—

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.

A Prayer for Us

Lord, give us courage for whatever You have placed before us today. When we feel inadequate, remind us that Your grace is sufficient and Your strength is made perfect in weakness. Help us recognize Your voice, trust Your leading, and give You our willing yes. May we walk faithfully in the purposes You have prepared for us, for such a time as this. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Until next time,
Cynthia