what’s stopping you?

What's stopping you? Whats hinders us from walking in our God-given destiny? 

I know we all have earthly positions or an earthly identity. Meaning, we are all sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, parents, and so on and so on... 

Although we take great pride and responsibility in our roles here on earth, could it be that there is a much deeper calling placed on your life? If we are not careful, we can hide behind our earthly responsibilities in order to avoid the conflicts of responding to our heavenly calling. 

It's not always our own laziness, our lack of "talent," or even the lack of clarity in our calling that hinders us. I believe the number one hindrance to our purpose is FEAR. 

In the book of 2 Timothy, Pual is urging Timothy to "Stir up the gift." In this encouragement and challenge from Paul, he clarifies to Timothy that God has not given him a Spirit of Fear. 

Now in this time, Timothy was a young leader of his church. He faced many difficulties as he is walking in his God-given purpose. There was increasing persecution, resentment of his leadership, and even false doctrines infiltrating his church. So Paul has to encourage him not to operate in Fear, but to remember what God has given to Him! Power, Love, and a Sound Mind. 

What's interesting about this is what is meant by the word "fear." It can be translated to "timidity" or a  "Cowardly, shameful fear caused by a weak and selfish character." Could this be the one thing that could've hindered Timothy's potential? I don't necessarily believe Paul was accusing Timothy of being selfish or weak, but he is making clear that if we are to respond to our God-given destiny, we cannot operate in this kind of Fear. 

Cowards don't respond to God's calling. Cowards avoid a divine purpose because it will cause hatred from the World. We can make a million excuses as to why we don't want to say yes to Jesus, but we won't say yes to Jesus at the end of the day because it means saying no to the World, no to ourselves, and no to the culture. It means that the World will no longer accept us. If we are honest, that thought ignites FEAR within us. 

But remember this, when you say "yes" to Jesus, He empowers you to overcome this Fear. He gives you the grace to say no to yourself and the World. As Paul reminds Timothy, we must remind ourselves that we do not walk or live in a Spirit of Fear but one of Power, Love, and of a Sound Mind. 

I have power from on High, not just to respond but to accomplish my purpose. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave lives in YOU. Think about that for a second! How can you fail when the victorious Spirit of God resides in you! Don't be intimidated by the culture. Remember the power that's in you. 

We must replace the Fear of the World with Love. This love that Paul is speaking about is a love that is primarily focused on Pleasing God. Not pleasing your IG followers, not pleasing your family, not pleasing your peers, but pleasing God. Too many of us are weighed down by the Fear of what others would say about us. WHO CARES?! As long as you follow Jesus with radical obedience, it doesn't matter what anyone else says. 

Paul ends that encouragement by reminding Timothy that he has received a Sound Mind from the Lord. A Sound Mind is a disciplined Mind. A mind that doesn't flock to every religion and doctrine. A Mind that knows the Truth, believes in the Truth, and walks in the Truth. 

So what's stopping you? Have you had one foot in with Jesus and one foot in the World? Have you said "no" to the Lord because you're afraid of what the World would say? STIR UP THE GIFT! For God has not given us a Spirit of FEAR but of Power, Love, and of a Sound Mind.