We build our life around our preferences, and they become our truth for life. We get all excited about the potential of how things would be so much better if… or when…yet when it requires us to do something different, we resist. We ‘prefer’ our life the way it is (thank you very much)
- What are the things you “can’t” live without? (Think of things other than family, food, and shelter) Are these preferences-things that you enjoy, but can actually live without?
- Have you surrendered your life to Jesus or do you just kind of like the idea of Him? (Seems like a ridiculous question but look at your life and examine what is true about your faith.) How do you place your preferences on your faith in Christ?
- Have you ever shared your testimony with someone? Would you be able to share how your faith in God changed your life?
- Does a life of faith (like the people listed in Hebrews 11) scare you? Or do you think faith is just about attending church and being a good person?
Change can be exciting, and it can be threatening. Everything changes when you change, so if nothing has changed-what is new? Our preferences can create rigidity when a life of freedom requires flexibility and ultimately surrender. In Matthew 4:19-20, Jesus says to the disciples, “Come follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people. At once they left their nets and followed him”. They changed their lives and ultimately changed the world.
- Is there something you have been sensing needs to change in your life? Maybe it’s not really a ‘big’ thing -so you disregard the prompting to change. (Or it’s too big and scary)
- Spend a few minutes thinking about your “if only’s”- magical thinking happens when we wish things were different but don’t take action. Is there anything that you would like to see happen but haven’t taken the risk to make changes?
If all this talk of change is challenging, you are not alone. You will need God’s strength to live your new life, that is the good news, the Gospel! God’s purpose for your life will require adaptation, flexibility and surrender to what God is doing. To Be Bold in your faith requires willingness to be shaken out of your preferences (aka comfort zone). Remember the definition for Bold: showing an ability to take risks. Are you ready to Be Bold?
- Surrendering each day to God’s will is a risk. How do you depend on God each day? If your attitude is ‘you’ve got this’, where does God fit into your life?
- Some things we’ve experienced have been devastating; we then prefer to ‘shelter in place’ to not risk anything more. Is this your plan? If so, ask God to strengthen and heal you, trusting that God will make a way.
Isaiah 41:10 reads, “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. God’s plan for your life is the best plan! Move out of your comfort zone, take a risk, and follow God’s lead.
