Step Out in Fear -

TERRY’S TESTIMONY

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.
~1 John 4:18a NKJV

“Sometimes I have to step out in fear,” Terry said matter-of-factly.

“So, you’re afraid when you pray with someone?”

“I am, usually. But the moment I start to minister, God’s anointing comes, and all the fear leaves.”

I knew my friend spoke the truth, because I too had stepped out in fear many times. I’d also discovered that the anointing would come. But the prerequisite was stepping out despite wrestling with fear.

TAKE A STEP OF FAITH

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
~Hebrews 2:10 NKJV

Bride of Christ, do you also grapple with fear when you minister? Take a step of faith. God’s anointing will come as you do so.

There are many situations that may give us reasons to pause. When there’s a lot at stake, or the environment we will enter is questionable, or the timing is inconvenient, it’s natural to hesitate.

We need to be like my friend Terry, and minister afraid.

It becomes easier to step out of our comfort zone when we keep in mind that we are vessels Beloved ministers through. He does the work—not us. Our Bridegroom owns the anointing. He shows us our assignments. We just need to show up and step out, even if we do so in fear.

Keep in mind Jesus has preordained the good works we will do. So, even though situations might stretch us to the max, pushing us beyond what we are comfortable doing, Beloved Jesus is already there. Step out in fear if you must, but step out! Our Bridegroom already knows what we need that will make our efforts successful.

LOVE’S INNER STRUGGLE

My Beloved has gone to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
~Song 6:2 NKJV

In Song of Solomon chapter five, Love is having this same inner struggle that we experience (Song 5:2-8). In this instance, Beloved Jesus comes in the night, imploring her to depart with Him. Love doesn’t share Beloved’s sense of urgency. She’s already washed and in bed. Why should she go to some scary place, to try to influence difficult people, when she can continue resting at home?

The reaction Beloved has is sobering: He departs.

Beloved does not love His Bride less, but He cannot wait for her to get ready. Why? Souls are at risk. They need Him right away, and He knows their situations are dire. They can’t wait. Therefore, neither does He.

As Love struggles to rise, she is heartbroken when she discovers her Bridegroom has departed.

She opens the door, and her fingers touch the oil of myrrh He has left for her to discover. He leaves this ointment as a clue. She knows where to find Him. He will be ministering in the Sharon Valley, a location people came to often to seek the Lord.

The Bride’s myrrh-drenched fingers remind her of her priestly position. Love is Queen. She must step into her calling in order to find her Beloved, and she must love His people like He does. Even if she steps out afraid, she must answer Him. And she must do so swiftly!

We too have this same calling. Remember, we are “Love.” This is our story.

This New Testament verse drives home the importance of our pastoral role: “But you are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV).

Our Bridegroom has commissioned us. Let’s do this!

LOVE REPENTS

If you find my beloved…tell him I am lovesick!
~Song 5:8 NKJV

Repentant, Love searches for her Bridegroom. When she finds Him, He implores her to minister with Him right away. He does not shame her. Instead, He equips her with His priestly anointing oil of myrrh.

From then on, she operates as a harvester and discipler of souls. The anointing comes upon her from the crown of her head to the souls of her sparkly sandals, and to the core of her being.

Does Jesus send Love to minister in any fearful situations? He certainly does. But remember, He ministers alongside her.

The Bridegroom sends Love to the same individuals—family and friends—who once criticized her. No wonder she was fearful! However, Beloved replaces fear with faith, and she is effective. The people she sets free were once her enemies. But now, they soften as she shares the joy she has found in her Bridegroom.

A GIFT TO BELOVED

There will I give thee my loves.
~Song 7:12b KJV

Over time, Love becomes confident. She even initiates ministry trips, saying, “Come, my beloved. Let us go forth into the field; Let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards; Let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth. There will I give thee my loves (Song 7:11-12 KJV).

The word “loves” in the above passage indicates souls that have been filled with God’s divine love. Thus, the Bride is gifting Beloved with souls she has ministered to who have been transformed by her messages about Him.

We can give Beloved Jesus this same gift—souls won and discipled for the Kingdom.

STEP OUT, EVEN IF YOU’RE AFRAID

I became in his eyes as one who found peace.
~Song 8:10b NKJV

Bride of Christ, we know the incredible kiss of peace our Beloved has imparted to us. Therefore, how can we not share His story and His divine love? Step out, even when you are feeling fearful, and minister. In inconvenient times, minister. In in scary situations, minister. Fully embrace the fact that Jesus has commissioned you, His Bride, to be a soul winner and discipler.

Every. Soul. Matters!

The lover of our souls is worth every ounce of our devotion. He dearly loves the people He wants us to reach. Bring souls into the Kingdom, and help them to grow in the knowledge of our Beloved Bridegroom.

King Jesus sees the urgency in reaching souls. Do we?

Are you willing to minister, afraid?

My Beloved Jesus, help me to win and disciple souls even when I’m afraid. I trust that Your anointing will come, and faith will arise within me, overcoming all fear.

Your Bride,

Genre: Devotion

Step Out in Fear