Fearless 23

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

1 John 4:18

Taken verbatim from my Discipleship journal on the night before I turned 23:

“God has been showing me there’s a lot of fear inside of me. Fear of what I’ll become if I truly give all of me over to Him. Fear of the unknown- of not knowing what’s ahead. Fear of everything- not having a plan, not knowing where I’m headed. But isn’t that better than doing my own thing? [and by ‘that’ I meant walking in the path God is taking me, not the feeling of fear]

I don’t want to be afraid- I don’t want to run away anymore.

For my 23rd birthday, I want a year where God teaches me humility and boldness- where I become bold and truly His.

[Some friends] wrote me beautiful notes… what is it they all see in me? what makes them say those things to me?

God, what is it that You see in me? Show me this year what you have in mind for me. Give me the boldness I need to not waste my youth away, but [use it] to do Your will.”

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

1 Timothy 4:12-16