Be Careful So You Can Be Fearless

Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9

Being careful is not the biggest challenge for churches these days, not by a long shot. Being careful comes naturally to church folks. Fearlessness, however, not being risk averse, being willing to step out in trust — these are the things qualities that God calls for in us. God rarely calls us to careful, he calls us to courage. I think each of us could benefit from more courage, from a fearless nature that trusts that when God calls us to something our security and wellbeing should not always be the litmus test for determining if we have heard God correctly.

God does not call us to be be careful, but he also does not call us to be careless. What he means when he calls us to careful remembering (as he does in Deuteronomy 4 et. sec.) is pay attention. Be intentional. Don’t forget. Take the time, in the moment and after the moment to recognize how God is and has provided.

Fear is directly linked to forgetting; courage to a carefulness of remembering. If we do not remember the amazing ways we have seen God move, we will be less willing to move into anything that sounds risky. If, on the other hand we remember, we are freed from fear. Seeing how God has been actively involved in our past gives us the courage to move with confidence into the future he has created for us.

So let’s make this personal:

1. What have your eyes seen that you need to be carful to remember this year?

– make a list, write them down.

1. What do you believe God is calling you to this year?

– write it down (you can use pencil and change it, but start with something)

1. Do you have a plan?

– a plan for connecting with God? – a plan for connecting with people? – a plan for service/ministry/outreach?

1. If you have a plan, is it written down? (it will be a lot harder to follow if it is not)

2. If you do not have a plan, can I or someone else help you make one?

– remember, this is your plan, for you, so that you can move more fully into the ways God is calling you and that he will work the plan with you.

This is discipleship. It’s not optional, and it’s nobody else’s job to do it for you. At Creekside we have lots of things for you to step into, but you need a plan to do so well.

Peace, hope and love

Doug