How My Greatest Fear Sparked My Greatest Adventure

Throughout my life, I've had a natural-born desire to engage in things that intrigue me—I'm curious to learn new skills, travel to unknown places, and do things that change the world.

But as I look back, I realize I tend to become apathetic as soon as I was asked to commit. Right at the moment when my free time and my go-with-the-flow attitude compromised, I find myself running towards the next new thing.

Am I the only one who gets a mucky feeling when I’m asked to do something long-term, something new, something unfamiliar? My attitude toward my opportunities is like scrolling through a news feed: What will improve me? What can I easily add to my inventory, without having to commit?

We're the generation of 10-second Instagram stories, micro-blogs, and minute-long videos. Media feeds our culture’s A.D.D., reducing our attention span and draining us of any desire to commit.

The great contrast is this: God is a God who commits. We can be prone to leaving things once they prove difficult, but God is looking for his sons and daughters to partner with him no matter what.

I know my own arrogance can get in the way, because when God asks me to commit, I become selfish of what I have to give. I begin to disqualify myself, claiming I'm unworthy, incapable, and inferior. But really, I have my whole life to give. I shouldn't let commitment be a barrier when there's so much good that can come from it.

Commitment can bring life-long, transformational change 

It's only when you dedicate your time to something that you'll see and experience radical change. It's the kind of change that is foundational for a life with Christ. This change can bring freedom in all areas of your life, clarification of God's plans for you, and intimacy with him who deeply loves you.

He wants to walk with you and build a relationship with you, but a relationship takes time and effort. Ironically, it takes commitment. It may seem difficult sometimes, but in the long run, allows you to receive so much more than what you had to lay down.

May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! (Deuteronomy 1:11)

Jesus calls for committed servants

God wants you—all of you. God could easily complete his mission without you, yet he chooses to include you anyways. He chooses to wait for you, to call for you, and he'll wait for you to join him in his plans.

When we surrender and truly let God take control, he'll entrust us with much. He trusts us to preach the Good News to every tribe, tongue, and nation. God is in the business of transforming hearts; first yours, then those of the people he'll send you to minister to.

We've got a big job ahead of us. It takes dedication and, you guessed it, commitment.

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2) 

The fear of missing out doesn't exist in the Kingdom of God 

What about that job? That school? That opportunity? What if I miss out?

There will be no shortage of things that will try to convince you to stay home, to stay comfortable, and to make you feel like following God to the nations means missing out on something at home.

But trust me, you won't be missing out! When you follow his voice, he'll open doors you could never have imagined. He'll take you farther and deeper than you ever thought possible. He'll take you on the wildest adventures and show you a world that's so much bigger than yourself.

Don't miss out on what God has in store for you.