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Thursday, December 3, 2015

Stepping out of my comfort zone...Into the faithful unknown!

It is with great amazement and joy that I find myself writing this today, almost two years. I truly believed that I had contributed my all and would not return to add to it. As time would tell here I am one more time, giving truth to the title for Today :Stepping out of my comfort zone...Into the faithful unknown. Living, Loving and Serving in Chicago is indeed amazing and as awarding as it is challenging. Nevermore so than the recent weeks filled with rallies, protest, firings and some positions being left void because of morality and elected officials doing the right thing. (prayerfully) All of the above mentioned supports the title for today's blog. Amid the chaos of this wonderful blue collar driven city, I find myself being driven/ forced out of my comfort zone, both emotionally and spiritually. Not knowing positively where I am being pushed to I have resigned to go with the flow faithfully into the unknown, trusting that God through the Spirit has already aligned all I need to positively effect change, evoke peace, and provide comfort to a city on the brink and a country reeling in despair. I have prayed for God to give me a proactive plan, coupled with a strategic agenda to combat the social and negative (isms) that affect our society. I remain steadfastly faithful that God will do just that  enabling all who will hear to fight head on against the evils in Chicago and our nation. I believe that Peter and the 11 were given a glimpse of the unlimited power all believers possess in this passage of scripture as they too were forced out of their comfort zones into a place of trusting in God through Jesus not knowing the extent of God's ability.

Jesus Walks on the Water

Matthew 14:22-34 (NIV) 

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Thank you God, for the encouragement that I have received today, through your scripture. Reminding me that when I step out of my comfort zone (the boat of daily routine) and trust in you, the winds of life (negative people /situations) will not prevail but allow me to be abler to reach many on your behalf offering healing to the individual, the community and indeed all who will hear and believe. Thank you lord,  for being the guiding example. Amen