Many times in my life I have had someone look back at me and say, “Are you coming?”
I tend to stay back and watch different events in life unfold. But this repeated phrase has often come in my direction as cold waves crashed around me while I’d slowly wade into the ocean. The water often cold; I would wish to stay in that spot or retreat backwards to shore — content to watch from a distance out of an inner fear of the ocean itself. Instead of putting those fears aside and joining my family or friends and building on our memories together, I would miss out on those precious times.
There are times in life where one has to make a choice — to go forward, to hesitate, to stay back. God’s call can be a small whisper like the quiet wind on the shore or loud like a crashing wave. He wants us to “come with him” but He has given us the choice to follow Him. That choice is something so beautiful because it is our part in a growing relationship with Him. Our choice to move forward might be scary and mean vulnerability but it also means trusting in God to provide. Staying back might seem safe but would also mean missing an opportunity to know Him more. No matter where or what that may be, His call is first and foremost to strengthen your relationship with Him.
Even Moses had his hesitations for following God’s call (Exodus 4:10-12):
“But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”
Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”
God reassures Moses by telling him that He will always be there — every time Moses speaks. He reminds us that He is powerful and not only will be with us but will teach us along the way so that we can also learn and grow. When we are faced with these choices, or a moment in time where we feel hesitant, remember, Jesus will walk with us and be there throughout the journey. Whether it is a huge, life-changing career move or facing a conflict in a relationship or an area of your life that you feel Jesus is guiding you, nothing is too hard for Him. He wants to use these moments of vulnerability, of faith, to build on our relationship with Him and in doing so, build on the lives of others.
With all of this in mind, ask yourself:
Where in your life are you hesitating?
Is it a conversation that you are holding back from having?
A decision that must be made?
A risk you are worried about taking?
God will support us throughout those hesitations. He will take care of us, we will grow, but we have to take that step forward.
So, are you coming?