“Perhaps this is what this season is all about: trusting in the unknowns, finding gold in the little things, trading fear of what’s uncertain for freedom to thrive within it.”
-Morgan Harper Nichols
The Grip of Fear
Pulling into the parking lot yesterday I was unsure of what to expect. Adventure was awaiting my arrival just behind the open doors of the animal park. With friends by my side, we entered the building, checked in at the service desk and began the adventure.
Feeling safe and secure in the main building made stepping over the threshold intimidating because of the uncertainty of what was waiting for me on the other side. Taking a deep breath and pushing those thoughts aside, I took that step over the threshold. I took just a brief moment to take in my surroundings. At first I thought I was going to be this strong brave woman walking head strong into another adventure, but after a quick glance around my heart began to race faster and faster.
‘What if’ thoughts began to invade my mind…
‘What if one of the tigers escape?’
‘What if I do something that sets one of the wild animals off and end up becoming their lunch?’
‘What if one of these roaming birds decides to chase me?!’
Still side by side with my friends we began to self tour the park. Walking closer to these wild animals, I never put in perspective until then on how small and weak I am compared to these large cats! Overwhelmed with fear I began to feel paralyzed.
Finding myself in these moments I had to just stand there and remind myself of these three things:
1. Breathe
2 Keep on walking
3. The owners and keepers of this park wouldn’t allow the public in if it wasn’t truly safe to visit.
After a full hour of heart racing moments during the self tour it was finally time for the actual tour with one of the workers there. As he took us on the eventful adventure I began to realize that what literally almost triggered a panic attack was actually one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced.
The Threshold
This morning as I was getting ready for my day I began to talk with God about my uncertainty and fears. That’s when yesterday’s emotions came rushing back towards me.
I asked God to help explain what it was He was trying to show me. Here’s the revelation I received..
Going from a place of feeling safe and secure to crossing the threshold into uncharted territory can bring out the fear we have hidden within us. The fear of the unknown can grip ahold of us and tie us down and keep us from enjoying the beauty that is yet to be revealed.
Stepping into a new season can sound like a lot of fun, but when reality hits us we realize that we honestly have no clue what we are about to experience.What is it that we mere humans fear most? Lack of control. Sure we can assume but how far can assuming actually take us? Not very far, unfortunately.
Confirmation
Within the past few weeks I’ve found myself in deep prayer with God. One of the prayers I’ve been asking him for has been guidance on where I should go in life and what it is He is wanting me to do. But every time I would pray all I could see in the spiritual realm was a door. Fast forward to earlier this week during a prayer session I had with God, He revealed something jaw dropping to me.
I was given a vision of me in a hallway praying, seeking and crying out to God. What I also saw in the vision was Jesus sitting right next to me keeping me company during the waiting season. Finally with one last effort of knocking at the door and asking and seeking God about opening this door I looked at Jesus who stood right next to me with a patient smile on his face. That is when this passage came back to my heart.
“Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. ‘I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good-sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for-will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
John 10:6-10 MSG
During the entire waiting season I was looking at the wrong door!! God had reminded me that Jesus is the door I must walk through in order to step into my next season.
How in the world do we ‘walk through Jesus ‘ to step into our new season? We do this by simply seeking the Lord with all of our heart. Trusting that He is the one who keeps watch over us! Loving Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength!
Whomever this is for…
Whomever this is for know that you are not in this alone. Know that this waiting season has been building character in you! You might be looking at the threshold fearing what might be on the other side. Stop, breathe, and remember that if it wasn’t a safe place for you to enter into Jesus would not have allowed you access to this new adventure.
Now with adventure there will always come risks and uncertainty BUT remember who you have by your side! Jesus is right there with you ready to give you that helping hand, be your guide around this new territory. He will encourage you to keep on moving when fear tries to grip ahold of your mind.
You’re not in this alone! Adventure is awaiting for your arrival!
-Alicia Marie
Alicia Marie 