Out of Your Comfort Zone by Sandi Somers

This month’s prompt comes from InScribe member Sheila Webster. “We are all ordained and equipped to do good works…God doesn’t give you all you need before you put your hand to the plough – but supplies you along the way.  The first inkling is the nudge to do something out of your comfort zone.”

Plunging Into Faith

Sheila’s prompt packs a powerful punch. She wrote so much in those few words. As I reflected on the many times God has prompted me and the results, I wondered how could I write this blog.

I felt like Rohadi Nagassar in an earlier IWO blog: “I had to think about this, and then think about it again, then think about it some more.” (Read it here). One day while walking to the nearby coffee shop to work on this blog, God prompted me to take each element in Sheila’s quote and elaborate on it.

“We are all ordained and equipped to do good works…”

What does it mean that God ordains us? To answer that, I often think of God’s explanation to the prophet Jeremiah.  “Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you…” (Jeremiah 1: 5).

God created us for a purpose and has special design for us. He chose us for this time in history, this location, this family, and this environment. He gave us our character, personality, and particular talents and abilities.

He created us to continue His story of redemption for the world. As writers, we are His hands and fingers on the keyboard. We are His voice to speak or sing to the needs of the world. We are His feet to go where He calls us.

And God has given us this task (ministry) of reconciling people to him. 2 Corinthians 5:18

“God doesn’t give you all you need before you put your hand to the plough.”

Sheila’s metaphor from farming is beautiful. I come from a farming background. On the first day my brothers plow or cultivate a field, all they need to do to produce an abundant crop is to plow. Just so, as we take that first step, plunging into faith, God gives us only what we need at that time. And just as God causes a crop to grow during the rains and heat of summer, God gradually opens up more and more of His plan.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:6)

“The first inkling is the nudge…”

We’ve all experienced twinges to do something: We may say, “I’d like to…” Or a direct word from scripture directs us to take a plunge into faith.

Our response is to listen to God’s deep twinges, in whatever form they take.

Sally Meadows’ advice at Fall Conference 2016 comes to mind: Is God whispering to you, casting you in a new direction? Pray into that vision.

Go…and you will be told what you must do. (Acts 9:6)

“…to do something out of your comfort zone.”

And here’s the crunch.

Just as we might experience a rise of faith when God first prompts, we often come face-to-face with our inadequacy. God’s plan seems sooo big. Or we’re afraid of failure. Or we cover our inadequacy by pushing our way into that venture using our own steam.

Sometimes I feel inadequate to write my monthly IWO blogs.  But if I focus on my inadequacy, I lose sight of God, His presence and power.

Joshua must have felt the same way. However, as he prepared to lead his people into the Promised Land, God said, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you.”

But then He calls us to be strong. Three times God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” Three times—to underscore that He would go with Joshua and give him victory. And God did just that. He is the God of the Impossible.

The One who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the LORD Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6)

How is God challenging you to plunge into faith? What is your next step? 

What Is Your New Writing Challenge for 2016? by Sandi Somers

Happy New Year to everyone!

Prompt: As you look ahead to your writing/publishing goals for the year, what is a new challenge or risk you want to take in your faith and career? How do you hope to hone your craft, expand your sphere of influence, s.t.r.e.t.c.h.?

New Challenges

The year is fresh, like a newly paved road before us. As I write this blog, my Christmas and New Year’s season is still filled with family and friends. I haven’t thought through all my writing goals for 2016 yet—I plan to take a few days in early January for a writing retreat—to pray and ask God for insight and wisdom.

However, at this point I know I want to tackle these major challenges.

·        A new action plan is the first challenge. My writing has developed a lot over the last year, and I need a new plan.  I’ll look over what I accomplished in 2015, what didn’t get finished (and why). From there I’ll continue with developing an action plan.

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·        Write Nonfiction in November is another challenge I’ll pursue. I tried it for the first time this last year and it challenged me to focus on just the one project.

·        Using social media more. In the last few years I’ve focused mostly on developing my writing skills. I’ll look at my long range goals for publishing, and what I can do now. Elaine Ingalls Hogg’s article, “A Timeline for a Successful Book Launch” in our 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers is a valuable resource.

How Gideon’s story can challenge us

This morning I was preparing a Bible study on the life of Gideon (Judges 6-8). I was surprised at how well his story dovetailed with taking on new challenges, and so I share some of my notes with you.

God took Gideon from being a fearful man to one filled with the Holy Spirit. In the beginning, he didn’t know God very well, and fighting against the Midianites seemed impossible. But by the time he faced his enemies, God had given him encouragement, miracles to develop his faith, and strategies to win.

 “(God) calls us to step beyond our capabilities and attempt the impossible, trusting in His all-surpassing strength. If He has called us, He will enable us.” ~ Lloyd John Ogilvie 

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. ~ Albert Einstein

“There are two great words—claim God’s fullness…Dare to act in faith, stepping out in the assurance that you have just what you have claimed. ~ FB Meyer

 Our adequacy “is gained solely as the Spirit fills us and uses our resources for His plan and will.” ~ Bryan Norford

 Scripture provides us with confidence and encouragement. Read and ponder God’s promises as we step into new challenges this year.

 1 Thessalonians 5:24: “The One who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

Judges 6:14: “Go in the strength you have…Am I not sending you?”

Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”

2 Corinthians 3:5: “Our qualification comes from God.”

2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Isaiah 43:19 “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wastelands.”

Questions For reflection:

·        Meditate over the question Jesus asked: “What do you want Me to do for you?”

·        In what ways do you want God to empower you? Often these are the points at which the Holy Spirit is pressing you to go beyond your capabilities.

·        What would you attempt if you were sure the Holy Spirit would fill you and enable you?

·        What new steps of faith will you take? What will you risk?

·        Be alert to any unique strategies and life lessons God will give you as you proceed.

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