Have you been through a challenge or life experience that has shaped who you are? Have you learned valuable lessons through the school of hard-knocks that could save other people countless hours and sleepless nights?
Then I have a question for you… how long will you allow those people to remain in bondage when you could be lighting their way to freedom?
In Exodus 3, God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and assigned him the task of delivering the children of Israel from bondage. The three “yeah but’s” Moses came back with are the same “yeah but’s” we use today when we avoid God’s call to deliver a group of his children.
1. Overwhelm and Lack of Knowledge – “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Moses asked God. That was a daunting task, wasn’t it? How do you get a wicked Pharaoh to listen to you and set millions of slaves free — just because you ask him to?
Have you ever asked a similar question when you felt prompted to stand up and make a difference? “Who am I? I don’t know how to make a difference. Where would I even begin?”
2, Fear of Rejection – “But behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken to my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared to thee.”
Isn’t this a common rebuttal? “Nobody’s going to listen to me. No one wants to hear what I have to say. I’m no expert. Why would people listen to me?” How embarrassing to convey a message only to be laughed at or ignored!
3. Self-Doubt – “I am not eloquent … but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue,” Moses insisted.
For us, this might sound like, “I don’t have the skills for this. I’m too ugly. I’m too skinny. I’m too old. I’m too fat. I’m too young. I’m too poor. I’m too boring. I’m too….” fill in the blank.
One by one, God addressed Moses’ concerns. And I’m here to tell you that if you step up to the plate, God will address yours as well. Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies.
The fact is people are out there in bondage waiting for a deliverer. There’s a group of God’s children who won’t be set free until YOU step up to the call burning inside your heart. They’ll flounder until you say, “Here am I, send me.”
So here’s my challenge for you today. Ask yourself. if these three obstacles were moved out of your way and were no longer an issue, how would your life change? And how would other people’s lives change?
When the pain of bottling up your message becomes greater than these three obstacles, you and those you were born to deliver will be set free!
If you’d like to overcome these 3 common challenges, attend one of my live “You’re Here for a Reason: Impact the World with Your Message” Workshops.
What a wonderful message. I have a new motto for 2011 “My unique contribution is irreplaceable” You idea that there are people who will remain in bondage until I step up to the plate goes right along with this. Thank you so much
Thank you, Marnie. This makes a lot of sense and reminds me there is going to be a time to share my lessons. It’s hard to speak about a lesson while learning it. God bless.
Leah, a word from experience, document your lessons AS you experience them. Even if you’re not ready to share them with the world, document in a journal how the Lord brings you through your tough times. There’s no better time to document than as you live it. Memory just doesn’t serve us as well after-the-fact. There’s a couple things that happen as you document.
1) You get all the details and emotion of what it’s like so you can remember later and relate to others who are going through something similar.
2) It helps you step back and see your situation objectively. As you go into observer mode and document God’s deliverance, work from the assumption that God will work everything out for your good. You’re just documenting how he does it and following the Spirit as it prompts you to act. In the end, you’ll have priceless documentation of your deliverance and come away with amazing insights. This stepping back also seems to help you pass through the experience that much faster and peacefully. God bless!
Marnie,
Thank you SOOOOO much for this post. My family and I are going through a particularly trying challenge now, something I have feared having to experience and something I am fearing as I experience it. I needed to hear your message. I too have learned that it’s beneficial to write down your experience as it is happening so to better help others as they go through similar events. I KNOW God has a purpose in allowing us our challenges. We need not fear. I recall Leslie Householder saying fear is False Evidence Appearing Real.
Thank you for following God’s inspiration. Many blessings to you!
Thanks Marnie :), wonderful advice. as I just documented a incident that just happen to me with my video cam and I learned a lesson. Everyday I’m learning lessons out here in New York City. Dealing with people & situations is not easy out here…..
–peace & love may God bless
Hi Marnie,
The three points you make are so timely for me right now. I’m stepping out and doing some things in my business and ministry that I tend to get nervous about. So I can relate to all that you say in your blog. I appreciate that you are doing what God has called you to do and you’re helping others in the process! PTL for you being such a good example for us all!
I wish I could attend your live events but you live much too far from me. If you only could do some tele-events that would be great! But thanks and keep up the great work. Check out my little blogsite too if you like. I just started and am not sure where it’s going, but I have faith in the one who knows! 🙂
Laura 🙂