21 Days: Day 12

Devotional:Welcome to Day 12 of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. I am thankful that we get to be together today while we support each other and grow in our faith with God. Today as we continue to read through Joshua 3, we are reminded to first take a step. In other words, take that courageous action and then learn to trust.In Joshua 3:5 it says, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” What does that mean? It means to commit one’s time and attention to something. So, it’s uncanny as during this time of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting we are committing our time and actions in an intentional way. We have many things we want to accomplish. This could range from something small to something really grand! Whatever it may be, these possible obstacles may be distancing you from God and you felt compelled to take the first step so that ultimately you can see and be aware of the amazing things God has in store for you.We all find different reasons and different times when it may be necessary to take the first step. Mine came in my recent past career. I love Higher Education, running a college, creating an experience for students, training people, and empowering them to be the best they can be, while achieving the goals they had created for themselves. I loved the fast pace, the recognition, the personal growth, and the travel to create awesome experiences and opportunities. So how could this be a time that while I felt on top of the world that I also felt like a complete failure? The thing is, I was focused on my success and what I could do, and quite frankly did not at the time thank God enough for giving me the opportunity for being in the position I was in.How could I be so happy while feeling like a complete failure? The thing was it was all about me. I would even try to justify to my family the quantity and importance of my role, but I was missing out on what was important. I spent less time with my family, going over kids' schoolwork, listening to what happened in their day. If they became sick, I would not take off work as my wife would. The distance I traveled to and from would not allow me to help in the spontaneous life events. It was not just about our kids though. I found myself consumed and not talking to my wife, not asking what was important to her, how she felt, how her day was or what was happening with her job.Once I realized that it was not about me and that I was failing, I needed to act, or as we are talking about, “take that first step”! I made the decision to start looking, and while I hoped to stay in the same career field, I knew that may not be possible. Fast forward 6 months and many applications, I found a new career and was in a completely different field. This was the opportunity to be a better father, husband, and person to hopefully find more harmony in life. While this was necessary and I wanted it for all the “right reasons,” it was not easy and didn’t magically make it easier. I still focused or thought of the job I loved and made a difference at, and not the opportunity I had to be better!For me, it is a continued work in progress. At the same time, I’m grateful to have more time to be present, and the time to do not only what was needed but do the things that I wanted to do so that I could be more engaged with my family.  I continue to ask God while stepping out to open my eyes, my ears, and my heart to what he has in store for me.While that may be my leap of faith, or how I resonate with stepping out, I believe each of us here today have something that could be holding us back from doing what we want, being who we want to be, or taking that first step. I'm here to say, don’t let the enemy tell you lies, and I am so thankful to have such an amazing Be Hope Family to support, encourage, and hold us accountable so that we can live each day in a way that would please the Lord.Prayer:Dear God, grant us strength to face the unknown, to be bold and courageous, to lean into discomfort while knowing that we have each other and have you guiding us each step of the way. Please allow us to remain committed and consistent with our choices, understanding that while the enemy may seek to derail us, we have a greater strength found in you to keep us going. Please wrap your loving arms around this world so that your comfort, compassion, and peace is felt daily. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.Thank you for joining us today for 21 Days! Tune in tomorrow and we'll have another devotional for you. Join us every Tuesday night at 6:30pm at each location as we gather together to worship, have a devotional, and pray together during these 21 Day of Prayer and Fasting.