So much of our lives are lived "inside the lines" because we want to stay safe and know what to expect next, but I read a quote this week that said something like, "If we don't take chances, we never grow." Now, I am one of those who likes to know what is around the corner, but this verse struck a chord with me. What do we have to fear if we are trusting God and living according to His Word? The stock market may fail but the Word says, 'I have never seen the righteous forsaken or His seed begging bread." Crops fail and cars break down, feelings get hurt and pain comes, but this is all common to the human experience. It is nothing that hasn't happened before and that God can't fix. We would have a pretty dull existence if we never came up against challenges, and our characters wouldn't evolve more deeply if we lived struggle-free.
I am seeking new employment, and to step out into the unknown is such a giant leap for me that it took three days to fill out a simple application and walk in the company's door and hand it to the receptionist. Fear of the unknown, fear of rejection, fear of what I would read into their eyes as they looked at me-all these things crowd into my mind as I force myself to do the things I really want to do! But I have to ask myself: who decides how things have to be and how people should look and act, etc. We just have to keep doing what is best for ourselves and be guided by that inner compass, and trust that God is working out all things in our favor. It is hard to let go and put everything in His Hands, but I believe it is the only way to be happy and find peace.
