Awakening

Posted On January 7, 2024

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun!”

Isaiah 43:19 NLT

“God endows us with gifts so we can make him known…. Use your uniqueness to take great risks for God!… The only mistake is not to risk making one.“

Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life

Happy New Year, my friends! This past year has been a wonderful journey through the story of the Bible, and I’m excited to share with you the plan for this year. It’s something different — and a little scary for me, if I’m being honest — but I believe it’s a new path God is calling me to take.

I’ve always dreamed of writing fiction, and as much as I’ve enjoyed writing this blog, I still feel this dream tugging at me every week. I have books on fiction writing sitting in stacks waiting to be read. I have story ideas scribbled in notebooks and saved in my phone. I have creative writing journals with only a few entries filled in. It seems like I keep waiting for the ever elusive “perfect time” to study all my books, flesh out all my ideas, and finish all my journals before I feel qualified to really start writing. But the longer I wait, the more my desire grows to take a leap of faith and just do it. So, I decided this year that’s what I’m going to do!

Our plan for 2024 will be a new format that blends an ongoing fiction story with a devotional each week. I have never really seen this done before, so I don’t know if it will work, but I’m going to give it a try and see what happens. Our first story is a science fiction tale I’ve named Awakening, and it will focus on the core beliefs of Christianity. I have to warn you, the story’s not finished yet — I will be writing it as we go. But I’ve had a lot of fun working on it so far, and I’m excited to see where it takes us!

“Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.”

Philippians 3:13-14 MSG

“Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds.
In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.”

Matthew 13:34 NLT

Jesus often taught by telling stories, and I can understand why. Stories can convey truths in unique ways that could not have been adequately expressed otherwise. And stories can feel almost magical in the way they transport us to other worlds. I’ve always loved stories! And more and more lately, I have felt a burning desire to create some of my own. No matter what I do, or how I try to talk myself out of it, I keep feeling this need to write. Even though I have no formal training, even though I don’t really have time, and even though the thought of it completely terrifies me, I still can’t let go of this dream that I have. Why not? According to something I read once by Max Lucado, I believe the answer is that I’m being called to do it:

“Want to know God’s will for your life? Then answer this question: What ignites your heart?…
Heed the fire within!
… As a young man I felt the call to preach. Unsure if I was correct in my reading of God’s will for me, I sought the counsel of a minister I admired. His counsel still rings true. ‘Don’t preach,’ he said, ‘unless you have to.’
As I pondered his words I found my answer: ‘I have to. If I don’t, the fire will consume me.’
What is the fire that consumes you?”

Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment

Have you ever felt this way about something? If so, then I think the only thing you can do — the only thing any of us can do when we feel that consuming fire — is heed the call. Whether or not we feel qualified to do so is completely irrelevant. In fact, just recently I saw a quote on Facebook that said, “God doesn’t choose the qualified, he qualifies the chosen.” The quote was uncredited, so I’m not sure who said it, but I was grateful for the reassurance! Because it was a timely reminder of the way God works.

Scripture is full of examples of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, not because they had any special skills or previous training, but simply because God chose them. Calling us to do things we feel incapable of doing is often God’s preferred way of working, because it forces us to rely on Him and makes it clear that He is the One who deserves the credit. When we let go of our fears and step out in faith to answer the call, He empowers us to fulfill His plans. He does this so that others will be drawn to Him.

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT

“You lead me in the path of life. I experience absolute joy in your presence…”

Psalm 16:11 NET

“Have you experienced the joy, fulfillment, and inspiration of doing what the Lord created you to do? Often, when you discover the purposes for which God formed you, you know it because it fits you in a manner nothing else can. There is a freedom and pleasure in your work because of how the Holy Spirit flows through you to accomplish it….
I pray you’ve had the joy of walking in what you were created to do. But if you’ve not yet discovered what it is, pay attention to what you do that feels like you’re worshiping God, because that will tell you exactly what it is. Then trust the Holy Spirit to empower you, because He’ll fulfill His mission through you in ways that will fill your heart.”

Charles F. Stanley, God’s Purpose for Your Life

At the time I’m writing this, I’ve just spent the past several days working almost nonstop on my sci-fi story and my blog post plans. I’ve surrounded myself with books on theology. I’ve eaten meals at my desk while typing away on my computer. I’ve bounced story ideas off of my family members. I’ve gotten my kids’ help to learn how to create AI images, find online sound clips, and create slideshow “story recap” videos. And I’ve had tons of fun while doing it! The time has just flown by.

This has been the most rewarding endeavor I’ve undertaken in a while. So, I understand what Charles Stanley is talking about in the quote above. I have experienced joy, fulfillment, and inspiration while working on this project. It truly feels like a mission. And, most of all, it does feel like worship. So, I have to believe that this is something the Holy Spirit is calling me to do and that He will help me fulfill whatever His plans are for it.

I’m sharing this with you because I’m hoping to inspire you to search for the same personal and spiritual satisfaction in your own life. Maybe you’ve already found your calling. If so, keep at it! And ask God to show you the next step in your journey. If not, keep listening for the Holy Spirit’s voice. Pray for guidance, and then don’t be afraid to venture out and take some risks. As long as we are coming to God willing to be led, He will guide us in the right direction. But He can’t do much if we’re not willing to step out in faith and try something new.

“Today, do what you think God is calling you to do — regardless of whether you are sure of His course or not. If the Lord is showing you to take a step of faith, make a call, write a letter, and so on — do it. If He says, ‘Be still and wait before Me,’ clear the time and listen for Him.
Of course, you may be wondering, ‘What if I do so and get it wrong — I don’t do precisely what He wants me to do?’ Then be assured He’ll correct your course and show you what to do. Just as a car that is started and in gear is easier to steer than a car that’s parked, a person who is in motion and willing to obey God is easier for Him to position than a reticent person is for Him to get up and moving.”

Charles F. Stanley, God’s Purpose for Your Life

I’ve come to understand that God’s preferred method is to lead us one step at a time, so I’m trying to learn to be more comfortable with not knowing how things will turn out. This is still hard for me! There are times I feel completely overwhelmed and ready to quit. But I keep reminding myself that I don’t have to muster the courage to tackle the entire journey. I just have to have enough faith to take the first step … and then another, and then another. The same is true for you. I’m choosing to trust Him to help me arrive at the final destination of this new undertaking, even though I can’t see the ending from here. You can, too. All it takes is a little bit of faith.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

John 15:16 NIV

There’s one final point I feel I should make. When we embrace our God-given dreams, step out in faith, and take big risks for God, we can trust Him to accomplish amazing, impossible things in our lives. This all sounds great! So great, in fact, that it may also sound a little too good to be true. But it’s not. And if we want to live the way God wants us to live, it’s not optional either.

We were chosen by God to do His work. This is a great honor, but it’s also a serious responsibility we’ve been given. Finding our true calling isn’t just about personal satisfaction — it’s about doing the work our Creator designed us to do. As humans, we are often tempted to settle for mediocre lives out of fear or ignorance of God’s plans for us. But God’s dreams are so much bigger than our own, and we will never reach our full potential if we don’t have the faith to discover what they are and the courage to embrace them.

“With God’s help, I intend to incite a riot in your mind…. I’m out to activate your audacious faith. To inspire you to ask God for the impossible. And in the process, to reconnect you with your God-sized purpose and potential…. I’ll take that further: if you’re not daring to believe God for the impossible, you’re sleeping through some of the best parts of your Christian life. And further still: if the size of your vision for your life isn’t intimidating to you, there’s a good chance it’s insulting to God.”

Steven Furtick, Sun Stand Still

Discovering God’s will happens as we develop a close, personal relationship with Him. We must seek Him every day and stay open to His leading. As we spend more time in prayer and in Scripture, and as we develop a deeper commitment to obedient living, we learn more about what He wants us to do. Even then, figuring out God’s specific will for our lives is not always easy. Believe me, I know! I feel like I’m constantly badgering God with questions about this, but I still never feel like I know what I’m doing.

Maybe you can relate. If so, here’s something that may help — we can call it the intimidation factor: Dreams should be God-sized, and if they don’t scare us, they aren’t big enough. If you feel like God is calling you to do something beyond your capabilities, then He probably is. As I mentioned above, that’s just the way He works. While it can be terrifying, it can also be a reassuring sign. When I think about my writing dreams and my plans for this blog, there is a constant tug-of-war in my mind between I can’t do this and I have to do this. And that’s one of the reasons I believe I’m supposed to do this.

“You have a heavenly calling — plans for your life that originate from the throne of grace. The Lord raises you up to be everything He created you to be. You are a member of the great assembly of witnesses, with supernatural empowering for all He calls you to accomplish….
The Lord is doing a new thing in you…. Therefore, leave the past behind. Let it go and look up to pursue your victorious heavenly calling. Take hold of God’s plan by fixing your thoughts on Jesus. You don’t have to figure it all out or be in control. Rather, you focus on Christ … And when you do, He takes care of the rest.”

Charles F. Stanley, God’s Purpose for Your Life

We don’t have to figure it all out. We don’t have to be in control. We just have to stay focused on Christ and let Him lead the way. And then get ready to be amazed at what He will accomplish!

“There’s nothing our world needs more desperately today — in individuals, families, businesses, churches, and communities — than God’s saving, supernatural acts. And he’s ready to act if we will be bold enough to ask, not just for a good day or a better life, but for the impossible.”

Steven Furtick, Sun Stand Still

This week’s Scripture passages encourage us to boldly embrace the new things God has in store for us. I have also included the prologue video for Awakening in case you’d like a preview of the story we’ll begin next week. I admit, I’m still a little nervous about it. But Steven Furtick said that not daring to believe God for the impossible is like sleeping through the best parts of our Christian life. So, this year, let’s resolve to wake up and see what God can do!

“You know the times in which we are living. It’s time for you to wake up. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first became believers.”

Romans 13:11 GW

References:

• Furtick, Steven. Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible. Multnomah Books, 2010.
• Lucado, Max. Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot. W Publishing Group, 2005.
• Lucado, Max. Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. J. Countryman, 2000.
• Stanley, Charles F. God’s Purpose for Your Life: 365 Devotions. Thomas Nelson, 2020.

Images & Audio:

• Images created using Midjourney Bot AI image generator, midjourney.com
• Audio clips from mixkit.co