Are You a Runner?

Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NIV

"Welcome to Hollywood. What's your dream? Everybody's got a dream." This is famous line from a popular movie. It is so true! We all have dreams. More than just dreams, we all have very specific gifting from God. Do you know what yours are? If you are a Christian, of course you know that the very first call is to know Jesus and to make him known to others. But what else has he called you to do? What are your passions? What moves your heart and makes you come alive when you think about it? What gifts and talents are laying dormant in your life that would further your ability to know Jesus more and make him known to others? I know, I know, I am asking a ton of questions. God has recently began to solidify my gifs and show me exactly how to use them for his glory and I want to respond with obedience and humility to the call. I had to do something very important first. Turn. This is a very powerful little word. Another word for it is repent. Repentance means to turn. See, sometimes when God speaks it is scary. The first response is usually fear. It was for me. I began to go in the opposite direction of the call because I felt unqualified and overwhelmed by it. God knew I would respond in this way so He does what he always does with me. He began to gently speak to my heart. Through prayer and finally a sweet surrender, God placed his finger on what the issue in taking my rightful place was. Pride. You see, fear is just pride. It is normal to feel a certain amount of fear when stepping out of your comfort zone but it quickly becomes pride when it stands in the way of you moving forward in what God is calling you to do. This was my issue.

So for awhile, I was a runner! I still catch myself running at times but I recognize it for what it is now and I still run, but I am learning to run to Jesus, not away from him. Running is good. Don't take your running shoes off. Just make sure that you are running towards the right thing. When God calls you, He equips you, He establishes you, He anoints you for whatever He is asking you to do. Stay in step with him. Even when it looks like the bottom has fallen out of your plans, keep running with him. If you get ahead of God, He will let you know. If you fall behind, He will let you know. Movement is good. Keep moving. So if you answered my very first question, "Are you a runner?" with a yes, that is good! Keep running. Run towards God and pursue Him. Pursuit of God will cause His plans to be accomplished in your life.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NIV