Recently, I listened to a sermon where the pastor was talking about God getting us out of our nest. He was referring to our stagnant comfort zone in life, just like a mother eagle kicks her eaglets out of the nest when they are old enough to learn how to fly.
Today, my store went live for the first time. Honestly, I was excited but very nervous at the same time. I tend to overdo things sometimes and get too caught up in the minor details. I will often catch myself doing this and have to turn my attention back to the Lord and give Him the control back; otherwise, I experience anxiety and frustration.
Opening a store, even though it is an online store, has really taken me out of my comfort zone. I create with my hands, and that is what I am good at. Social media and all the technical stuff is really not something I’ve ever spent a lot of time with. It’s a whole new learning experience.
When God initially called me to start writing and later called me to open this store, I kind of argued with Him about it. I think I had every excuse in the book on why I couldn’t do it. I’ve never liked to be in the spotlight or draw a lot of attention to myself. I have always been happy working in the background. Besides my love for coffee, creating and making beautiful things for people was something I loved to do.
However, opening a store was not really on my radar. God had bigger plans, though. Being creative was His original design for me. He gave me the skills to make things and communicate thoughts and ideas. He had a purpose for my life. When I decided to leave my old life behind and follow Him wholeheartedly, I guess I hadn’t anticipated that He would actually cash in on that.
So here I am, working a full-time job and writing, creating, running a store, being a full-time mom, wife, chef, maid, and Uber driver. Lol! Don’t get me wrong, I am loving this, but I am definitely being kicked out of the nest. I was starting to get really comfortable, but it was time for God to kick it up a notch. To move me up to the next level. It can be a little scary to walk out in faith and get uncomfortable, but He never leaves us to ride that two-wheel bicycle without following beside us to catch us when we start to lose balance.
Romans 8:28 English Standard Version (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
As long as God is at the helm and my eyes are staying focused on Him, all will be well. He will sustain me with strength and focus, and I can relax and sit back and watch God use this ministry to grow His Kingdom.
Isaiah 40:31 English Standard Version (ESV)
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
This post was written by Valerie Close, a woman with a passion for encouraging others with the truth from the word of God and her own personal experiences. She is faith-driven and a seeker of truth with a real heart and compassion for other people to come out on the other side with new hope and revelation of Jesus Christ
To find out more about Valerie Close and the wisdom and encouragement she has to share, visit her homepage here.
Featured Image by Luke Brugger
In-text Image by Matthew Schwartz