Bring it On

So, I was thinking this Labor day about the next year and the new responsibilities that will come with it. I have just accepted the charge of leading a small college group at my church for this year and now find myself experiencing some of those cold feet tendencies one might expect. Up until this point I had been getting excited about the possibilities; how I want to see the needs of those in our church met in a meaningful way; that they may be encouraged by each other and built up in Christ. I also was anticipating how this situation would stretch me personally and allow me to grow in ways I haven't or wouldn't otherwise.

However, today I found myself sliding into apprehension and what might only be called FEAR. It acured to me again how venerable I really will be and how my weaknesses might possibly be laid bare before all my friends. The possibility of failure was also rearing it's ugly head. What if things don't go well, and everybody leaves? Needless to say this is not a good frame of mind to be in.

It is in times like this that I can't help but appreciate the work of some in the Christian Music Industry. If I was listening to a secular play list I doubt I would've been encouraged to improve my state of mind. However, my laptop then switched to new track; "Bring it On" by Steven Curtis Chapman...

I didn’t come lookin’ for trouble
And I don’t want to fight needlessly
But I’m not gonna hide in a bubble
If trouble comes for me
I can feel my heart beating faster
I can tell something’s coming down
But if it’s gonna make me grow stronger then…
Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it onLet the trouble come, let the hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on

Now, maybe you’re thinkin’ I’m crazy
And maybe I need to explain some things
‘Cause I know I’ve got an enemy waiting
Who wants to bring me pain
But what he never seems to remember
What he means for evil God works for good
So I will not retreat or surrender
Now, I don’t want to sound like some hero
‘Cause it’s God alone that my hope is in
But I’m not gonna run from the very things
That would drive me closer to Him
So bring it on

It was enough to snap me out of my fear. Rather than thinking of my situation from the defensive; how I don't want to look week and possibly get beat up a bit, I was able to look at this from the offensive. I have always been fond of analogies between physical training and the spiritual life and this helped me put my apprehensions back into perspective. Yeah, there will probably be some pain, and it certainly won't be easy. It might even be humbling. But isn't this how God works in us. The Bible says "His grace is made perfect in our weakness." He is the expert and master trainer and thus I want to embrace what ever he has in mind. As long as we follow him and allow him to work with us, break us down and train us, we will become stronger -- stonger in Him. "For He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world."

Peace, brothers and sisters, and I hope some of you might be encuraged by this my first post on this blog.