As I shared with you in an earlier blog and YouTube message, the Lord is leading Ark Animals Ministries and me, personally, to step out in 2018. And, to you as a follower of our ministry, I am most interested to know what He is asking you to step out and do?
My last blog focused on the definition of an “assignment” and brought us to the conclusion that in our assignments we have to learn to love and accept people for who they are, to not waste our talents, and to understand that our choices are going to shape the outcomes of our lives.
So, let me ask you, are you fully employed, comfortable with your income and happy with the life you are leading? As long as no one rocks your boat, are you happy to continue on in your comfort zone?
If that is the case, I wonder what will you do when “ IT” comes knocking? Will you politely sweep “IT” under the rug? Or, will you allow “ IT” out and roll “IT” around in your mind quietly to see what “ IT” may require you to sacrifice and where “IT” may lead you?
Let me assure you, if you choose to ignore “ IT”, “ IT” will keep knocking! Do you know how I know this? Because, right now in my life, “IT” is in my face 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. There is literally no place I can go where “ IT “ is not right in front of me. “ IT” is a specific assignment for me to accept, step into and embrace. My personal “IT” requires me to get up at 4:00 am to seek the Lord, review my goals, to sit down to write and then prepare the video the messages God is downloading in my heart to share.
“IT” requires me to hold fast to my faith to step out and believe for the funds, support and resources to expand this ministry. “ IT” requires me to stand on Matthew 6:33-34 to “ Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” And, I know if I don’t step out, “IT” will ultimately pass me by and I will always be left wondering why I didn’t accept and pursue “IT”?
In my experience “IT” always comes when a season is coming to an end in my life. Just like Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3, describing a time for everything, every one of our lives will go through many types of seasons. Each season always has a beginning, middle, and an end. Some seasons are quite long and other seasons are surprisingly short. Some seasons are designed to root us, ground us and help us grow up to the next level. Other seasons are unusually brief and may only be offered as a way to open doors, define boundaries or to direct us away from unnecessary distractions.
“ IT” can be like a light shining on the thorn God talks about in Numbers 33:55. “IT” can be an annoyance, a discomfort, or a profile of a boundary designed to keep us out of the entrenchment where we are not assigned to walk. Every thorn has a barb and after you remove the thorn, if not discarded QUICKLY, the thorn will quickly re-ensnare you!
As I am writing the Lord directed my thoughts to our President, Donald Trump. I am not concerned about who likes or agrees with him. Pursuing those debates would clearly establish a barb of distraction immaterial to what this message is about.
What I find important to recognize and respect is that Trump was clearly challenged by some type of “ IT” and willingly, with his own financing, engaged in the fight of his life. Ezekiel 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land…”
Trump walked out of his billionaire lifestyle into mayhem, division, fake news, slander, unthinkable corruption, racial division, economic chaos, rapidly declining morality, and the list goes on. Why? …… I believe Trump willingly took the time to acknowledge and contemplate what was put on his heart. Although the prospect was burdened with discord and evil, I believe Trump was able to see beyond the confusion and willingly gave up his life’s work to press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! Phil 3:14. And, I believe he understood, like we all do, what is written in James 4:17 ( MSG) “ if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that for you, is evil.”
There are two famous statesmen’s quotes that resonate with me as I contemplate the unknown of stepping out into “ IT”. Albert Einstein put it this way. “ The world is too dangerous to live in- NOT because of the people who do evil but because of the people who sit and let it happen.” And, two from Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Irish political philosopher, who said: “ All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men do nothing.” And, “ Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.”
So, I ask you again, what is “IT” for you? Maybe you think your call is something the world regards as insignificant, but if “IT” is calling from your heart, I truly believe it is a high call from God. Is “ IT” begging you to walk away from lies or cheating, or not bowing to pressures of society to participate in destructive behavior, division and corruption? Is “ IT” stepping out to run for a public office, expand your education, or to simply be willing to speak the truth in love? Whatever “ IT” is, I encourage you to step out and move forward. Because there is NOTHING insignificant in the eyes of God!
Thank you for your prayerful and financial support that helps us to expand our media outreach!
I look forward to connecting with you again soon! Stay close to the Lord!
