I’m going to get a bit personal today so brace yourself. My hope is you won’t be afraid to get a bit personal as well.
My word for the year is FEARLESS. This word has been building in the very fibers of my soul since the beginning of last year when God placed the need to discover, to uncover things. At the end of 2018 I was questioning why exactly he would ask me to do that.
I uncovered a lot of things about myself, my kids, my ministry and marriage. The thing is, it wasn’t until He gave me the word FEARLESS, that I truly understood that those uncoverings didn’t mean a whole lot, unless I chose to do something with them.
Normally, when my word for the year is embed in my heart, I think I know how it may manifest itself in my daily life. When I was given FEARLESS, I made up my mind to move forward with the things I placed in front of me without fear. But here’s the thing. I am learning very quickly that it doesn’t mean I am not going to feel fear. What it does mean is that I will not let the fear I am feeling control my actions, my thoughts.
And then, as I was working on a website today, I came across a commencement speech given by Denzel Washington.
I’ve heard this speech before and it has always been a great inspiration to me. However, this year it hit me in a whole new way. I would highly recommend clicking that link and taking a listen.
You see, it’s easy in our world today to think life will be easier if we hide our beliefs. Mine are in my Savior Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and an Abba Father. So nervous we may offend someone, that our business may fail if we drive people away, we choose to live in fear of expressing those beliefs. I will not live in fear. He has given me a specific set of passions and skill sets, and I will use those to his glory.
It’s also easy to think that those skills are not good enough to put to use yet. As an artist, it’s habit to consistently improve your craft. Often, I find myself not applying for a job or entering into a Creative Challenge out of fear that I won’t be good enough. Well, here’s the hard truth. There will always be someone better than you, than me. However, that shouldn’t stop you from taking those steps forward.
This year I will not live in fear.
I will put God first, and continue to live with intention.
I will trust that each thing he is asking me to do is developing me into who I need to be to accomplish his ultimate goal in my life.
I will trust and move FEARLESSLY knowing that he is using me to make a difference while I walk the path he lays before me.
I choose not be afraid to fail big.
Will you accept this challenge as well? Would you consider setting aside all the petty New Year Resolutions and decide to make a lasting change in your life?
What can you do today to make a positive difference in the life of those around you?
How can you show more love to your husband, children, friends, family, co-workers in a way that they can receive it?
What dreams do you have that you’ve put aside for too long?
Are there dreams you’ve been chasing after for too long that you to let go of?
Do you have your priorities in the right order?
I pray that you will join me in living FEARLESSLY this year. I hope you stop listening to all the voices coming your way that are moving you down the wrong path. Will you would fight hard for the things that matter: your marriage, family, friends, lasting peace, and joy? Will you choose to be intentional with your time and hold on to a hope that develops a faith deeper than one could ever express in words?
Wishing you all the things in 2019 that will build great character, hope and a resilient spirit. May you decide it’s never too late to make a change.