I started this travel seven years ago when my state of employment changed. I went from a full-time employee to a full-time student with no traditional income. My plan was to finish school and acquire a career. My main goal was to acquire a steady income that would be made secure by my higher education. I placed my confidence in my own intelligence and the success rate of the American system of obtaining wealth through education. I bought the American dream.
With only two years left in my education, I graduated. I did not gain employment immediately, however, I was not discouraged, I mean, I had bought the American dream! Months went by, so I was encouraged by most of my professors, friends, and family to start a blog. So I commenced to writing this blog. I struggled to choose a layout, topics, designs, etc. I try to theme it around current events, but truth-be-told, the blog had no true direction or purpose. So, why would anyone read it. Of course I had a few followers, loved-ones, but not enough to make any real noise in the blogosphere. It was because I was not operating in my purpose. I was not using my talents to glorify the kingdom of God (Proverbs 18:16).
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I finally gained employment and stopped writing my blog. This job was not necessarily specific to my education, but it carried certain elements that used the skills I obtained from college. I loved this job and all its perks. I was excited to go to work everyday. I had just completed my 90 day interim and during that period had earned a promotion. Although the promotion process had been delayed due to scheduling issues, I knew it was mine. I earned it!So, I was sitting in a classroom one day, on my glorious job, having lunch. I was sitting there listening to "Take the Limits Off" by Israel Houghton and New Breed. I reached for my iPad to open up my YouVersion App and read my bible. I heard the still small voice of the Lord tugging at my heart to turn to Matthew 14:22. I boldly turned to the passage, unknowingly aware of what the Lord had in store for me.
Remember, God had me on a journey. Therefore, this passage carried so much significance to course I was on. I had waited almost six months for my employers to resolve the promotion transition, but I just knew this was meant for me. However, God was definitely thinking something different.
I began to read the passage and the Lord urged me to read verses 22 through 33. In this passage Christ instructs His disciples to get into a boat and meet Him on the other side of the sea. While the disciples are out on the water, the wind increases and causes massive waves in the sea. Fear begins to build amongst the disciples and they notice an image coming towards them on the water. They think that it is a ghost. But is the Lord and He responds to them and says, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." (Matthew 14:27)
At this point I was focusing on the fear of the disciples. I was appalled that the Lord thought I was afraid of anything. I arrogantly thought to myself, "Lord I have served you my whole life, I know that you are with me, therefore I have no fear." Just like Peter, I confidently challenged God. (Matthew 14:28)
The Lord challenged me right back by challenging Peter to step out on the water. Peter travels out on the water with his eyes focused on Jesus. The waves began to rise again and Peter took his eyes off of Christ. When he took his eyes off Christ, Peter began to sink and cried out, "Lord save me!" (Matthew 14:30)
As I continued to read the passage, tears rolled down my face, for I knew I had been Peter in my spirit. Israel Houghton's voice began to reign throughout that room..."Take the limits off....take the limits off...take the limits". I had placed God in a box and put my natural limits on Him. He was calling to do supernatural things in my life and I was limiting Him to this job. My heart became heavy.Christ answered Peter and said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31). At this time the winds ceased and they got into the boat. I opened my mouth and cried out to my Savior, pleading for His forgiveness as I was without faith. I did not have enough faith in God to trust Him enough to get out of my boat and come out onto the water. The weakness of faith, and the prevailing of our doubts, displeases our Lord Jesus, for there is no good reason why Christ's disciples should be of a doubtful mind (Henry 1714).
You see, God knew that this job was not for me. While this job blessed me, it did not honor the gifts that God gave me to fulfill His purpose for my life. This job was my boat. I put all my faith into it to provide additional income for me and my family. I had begun to plan what we would purchase with the extra income from my promotion. I was focused on the material outcomes, but not the spiritual impact on my life and my purpose. He allowed me to succeed through His permissive will and because I honored His scriptures in my work , he still blessed me (Colossians 3:24). However, I was not operating in my purpose.
The promotion process was extended so long because it was not in the will of the Lord for me to have that position. God knew that if I had obtained the promotion, I probably would have stayed in that position for the rest of my life, both physically and spiritually. My spiritual growth required physical growth. Enough physical growth, to get out of the boat (my job) and walk on water (faith in God for my gifts) to initiate spiritual growth. God was requiring me to have faith (confidence) that He would provide through the honoring of my gifts that He has blessed me with. I need to use my gifts to honor His kingdom and then He would provide. Special supports are promised by the Lord, and are to be expected, but only in spiritual pursuits; nor can we ever come to Jesus, unless we are upheld by His power (Henry 1714).
The music became a soft background chant...."no limits...no boundaries....I see increase...all around me...break forth....stretch forth....release me....enlarge my territory". All I could do was sob as God revealed my disobedience. I needed to take the limits off of God that I had put on Him. I had to realize that His plans and blessings for me has no boundaries. My purpose was not limited to the revenue that the job was going to provide.
God had initiated the path He had for me through this blog. He charged me to start the blog, but I was too concerned about income that I was distracted by the need of employment. However, God's perfect timing allowed me to take a journey of spiritual growth in order to build a closer relationship with Him.
So, here I am, out of the boat! I am out on the water! My boat is docked at the shore as I walk in faith of the Lord. There are no limits and no boundaries of what the Lord will do! I am breaking forth and stretching forth through this blog!! So, I hope you will join me out on the water in Christ Jesus.
I am not asking that you quit your jobs. I am just requesting that you work towards operating in your gift according to God's plan for your particular life. Let go of your boat, whatever it may be, and step out on the water of your life.
I am no longer in that position and God is honing me to walk in my purpose. This blog is the first step. I will publish the revelations that God reveals to me in this blog. My prayer is that this journey will bless so many women to find their purpose in Christ Jesus. They were suitably affected, and worshipped Christ (Henry 1714). I hope that women everywhere will come out onto the water with expectation of God's promises through water-walking faith.
Walking in Faith (even on the water)
T. Carter
References:
Henry, Matthew (1714). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishing. Nashville, Tennessee
Mathew 14:22-33. The Bible - New King James Version. YouVersion
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