I’m happy to introduce you to my friend Kelly Basham as she shares her bold story of surrendering. Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your heart.
Sometimes the things God calls us to do don’t make sense to us at first.
Bible study is something I have been passionate about for a long time. It excites me! Naturally when I was asked to serve as the bible study coordinator for the women’s ministry at my church I jumped at the chance to serve on the team. I grew to love what I was doing. Being a part of something that encouraged women to seek God’s word brought me joy. I felt like I was making a difference.
During my second year of serving as the bible study coordinator, God began to whisper in my heart that it was time to step away. At first I didn’t want to believe God was asking me to move in a different direction. There was so much more I wanted to accomplish. I couldn’t understand why he wanted me to walk away from something that was helping women grow in their relationship with him. I desperately pretended I hadn’t heard him, I tried ignoring it.
Of course, none of that worked. God can be pretty persistent when he wants our attention. Have you ever noticed that whatever it is he wants you to do or learn mysteriously shows up everywhere?
Staying will only delay the inevitable.
For the next few months, I contemplated what God was asking of me. In my heart I wanted to come up with another solution, but deep down I knew I couldn’t stay where I was. As much as I wanted to stay where I was and save the world one Bible study at a time, it was time to move on. God had a plan and I needed to follow it. I was just too afraid to let go.
God was beckoning me to follow him, but the fear of the unknown had me pressing the panic button.
My head was filled with doubts and anxious thoughts….
I worried about what everyone would think. Would they understand? I wondered if God would ever bring another opportunity to serve him like this again. What if He didn’t? It didn’t seem like God was leading me to a new place to serve. Could I move on without knowing what was next?
God will steady our feet as we move towards our calling.
Psalm 121:3 says,
“He will not let your foot slip– he who watches over you will not slumber.” (NIV)
Knowing God would be with me gave me the strength I needed to walk away from something I loved. I may not have known where I was going but I could trust God to get me there. As I surrendered to what God was asking me to do my worries and doubts began to fade away. And with my fears silenced, I took a step in a new direction.
God has been faithful!
Since then, God has brought opportunities for me to serve him in ways I could have never imagined. A few months later I was given the chance to serve with a ministry that offers online Bible studies to women all over the world. If I had stayed where I was, I might not have been asked to be a part of something that encourages so many women to grow in their relationship with Jesus.
The first step is always the scariest.
Is God calling you to go in a new direction? Perhaps he’s asking you to start a ministry or take on a new job. Is he calling you to missions? Adoption? Maybe you’re like me, and God has asked you to step down from something you love doing. Wherever it is God is calling you to, you can trust Him to get you there.
Kelly is passionate about pointing others to the nourishing truth and wisdom found in God’s word. She hopes to encourage and inspire women to blossom as they study, meditate, and reflect on God’s word. Kelly lives in the Nashville, TN area with her husband Brandon, their two children, and a very quirky little dog named Velvet.
Connect with Kelly at Blossom In Faith to read more and to download her new Petals of Wisdom Coloring Journal.
You’re Invited ….
… to join me and the #BeBoldGirls as we follow Jesus on this adventure together.
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Linking up with Holly Barrett at #TestimonyTuesday and Jaime Wiebel at #SittingAmongFriends