BECOMING {Chapel}

I had the honor and privilege to speak to my dorm tonight for a chapel service.

I felt like God wanted me to share about uncertainty... which is something that I am wrestling with in my current season! My heart was to be honest about what I know about God through the scripture, and to be honest with what God is teaching me even now. My prayer was that I could somehow spur these ladies to become inspired to align their heart more closely with God's. That they would be encouraged to keep pursuing God and keep trusting God, even amidst the crazy of the last two weeks of the school year. 

Here are my notes, for those who were there and want to look back and reflect; for those who were not present, I hope it speaks to you as well. Here it is:

I was asked a question last night: How do you feel about uncertainty?

Uncertainty is a rather uncomfortable space to be in. When I hear the word uncertainty, it’s easy for me to feel my gut drop ten feet down into the earth because it makes me feel uneasy. It’s a free-fall. Uncertainty makes me feel a little like Alice in Wonderland, falling into a hole where you can’t tell where you are going, you feel like you’re being dropped, and there seems to be nothing to hold onto.

What does pressing into uncomfortable spaces look like? How does one practically face fear? In preparation, by learning what you need to persevere. For me, words are a big reminder. Writing down stories of how God has personally been faithful in the past and posting scriptures and encouragements in my room, planner, and in my phone help me. They help to embed truth into my mind. And like Psalm 119:11 says, it hides the word of God in my heart that I might not sin against Him. Power verses give me something to say back to the Enemy when he taunts me. Like Jesus, I can talk back, and know what I stand on. So that is preparation.

Then there is prayer. Before, during, and after. I don’t think I need to explain this one- we’ve all heard sermons on prayer before! And while I am not going into detail, it is KEY and SO important!

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gifts God gave you when I laid my hands on you. I have not given you a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” -2 Timothy 1:6-7

Paul is encouraging Timothy to persevere and press into what God has called him to. The footnote in my Bible says, "Timothy did not need new revelations or new gifts; he needed the courage and self-discipline to hang onto the truth [that God gave him for his life] & to use the gifts he already received."

So back to uncertainty. Yeah, it can feel unnerving. You might feel like Alice falling into wonderland that may or may not be wonderful… But there is another image that came into my mind as I thought about uncertainty last night. I picture Jesus out on the water. A common picture, but one I hope never loses its potency in our lives. We talk about the boat and the water, but I can’t help but resonate with the space that takes place between being a disciple with two feet on the solid, wooden ground of the ship, and placing it onto the water. The literal air in between is an uncomfortable space that I feel like I have stayed in over and over and over again.

I love that passage in Matthew 14, but it is convicting because there is Peter, all excited to go join Jesus out on the water. He catches sight of the initial vision and is even excited to climb down from the boat into the water. But the waves remind him of the uncertainties, and how what Jesus is calling him to do in that moment doesn’t make sense or shouldn’t happen.

I want to take this next portion of time to encourage you and speak into you all. So feel free to sit and take it in: 

• I want you to PRESS INTO THE UNCOMFORTABLE SPACES WITH PRAYER

Like Timothy, we need the courage and self-discipline to hang onto the truth & to use the gifts he already received.

You have a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.

• CALL OUT THE DREAMS GOD HAS PLACED ON YOUR HEART. SPEAK WHAT IS THERE, LET THE POWER OF SPEAKING THOSE WORDS TAKE ROOT AND LET OTHERS JOIN YOU IN PRAYER. 

What about God’s character and mission to the world do you want to be a part of? What are you passionate about? Is it spreading the Peace of God? Is it justice? Is it unity in Christ? Kindness? Love? The wrestling is where we find God’s heart and where our heart and life meets His heart.

I have found that the places in my life that are most uncertain are the ways God likes to use me most… It goes back to the I am weak, he is strong thing. My weakness is a platform that showcases God’s greatness. So even though I feel like God has called me over and over to step into things that challenge my weaknesses, I can look back and also see that God has used my Yes’s.

Every time, when I am uncertain about how things are going to work out, He meets me there. He becomes the sufficiency that I thought I would lack.

This leads me to my last point.

•  LIVE IN A WAY THAT REQUIRES YOU TO BE DEPENDENT ON GOD EVERYDAY; WHERE YOU CANNOT SUCCEED WITH WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU UNLESS YOU RELY ON HIM EVERY DAY.

I think that healthy growth requires us to be willing to move.

Be willing to navigate some changes of plans, or better yet, hold loosely to those plans. Like Shelley Giglio, in Lisa Brevere's new podcast called Adamant, said, "God defined moment by moment." You have permission to read that again! That short, five word phrase hits me right where I am today... 

Here's the deal with becoming who God wants me to be: it's not something that I knew of beforehand. What I mean is- the details usually aren’t given to us straight off the bat. I have had to STOP EXPECTING THAT. I wasted so much time and energy getting upset about changing details and plans. Instead, focus energy on aligning your heart with God’s. That’s what is eternal anyway. Move wherever he is, and you’ll be just fine. As a mentor of mine said, the answer to a million and one questions is to be in step with the spirit. Whenever everything seems uncertain, be in step with the spirit. 

Thanks to all those who came out to support me and my journey with Jesus, and thank you to everyone who lifted me in prayer for tonight! Talking to some of these women afterward was so rewarding and refreshing, because God is BIG and MIGHTY and GOOD. He moves on our behalf, and molds and shapes us in the waiting. He sits with us as we wait, meeting us there. 

As you, my friend, press into your fears and hopes and dreams and waiting seasons with prayer, I pray that you WILL have courage and self-discipline to cling to The Truth. It will be worth it all.

Love & Prayers as always,

Melly xoxo