Racing brave. Racing unified.

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7

I can only imagine that my blog posts for the next several weeks will flow from the inspiration and challenging messages that I received last weekend at the IF:GATHERING. As I shared on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram all weekend long, I will say it again to you all right now. My major take away from my two short days spent in Austin, Texas at IF was this:

Stop residing in fear, and step boldly and confidently into your calling. Jesus uses the weak and broken every day. It’s our turn now.

Every time we dwell in fear as opposed to faith, it is evidence that we have bought the lie that the enemy feeds us, and it broadcasts to an unbelieving world the unreliability of our God. “You are insignificant. You’re not enough. You’re too much. You’re not equipped. You can’t accomplish this. You’ll never amount to much.” – LIES.

Before we know it, we’re feasting on lies, believing them, and therefore crippling our faith and our effectiveness. I know this is true because I’ve dwelt in the land of fear for far too long, and I’M DONE. I refuse to remain captive to an enemy that God has said will be crushed under my feet. I refuse to sit on the sidelines of my faith any longer, watching the faithful and courageous runners pass on by.

I will run the race set out before me.

I will race brave.

I will race unified.

Because God’s Word says that the Spirit He has given me is not a spirit of fear. On the contrary, it’s a Spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SELF-DISCIPLINE. Therefore, I can overcome the enemy of my soul. Therefore, I can love my neighbor as myself and stop competing with her. Therefore, I can control my thoughts by taking them captive and making them obedient to Christ and His Word.

I am not a victim any longer. I will not let my past define me. Christ alone holds that right, and I am who He says I am.

I am courageous.
I am loved.
I am forgiven.
I am chosen.
I am more than a conqueror.
I am an important part of the body.
I am gifted.
I am adored.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

And I am DONE believing the enemy’s lies. I will race brave. I will race unified. And I will meet the embrace of my Savior in eternity with these words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”