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"So now, go. I am sending you to Pharoah to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt...But Moses said, 'O Lord, please send someone else to do it.'" (Exodus 3:10; 4:13 NIV)
Recuperating as a three-legged cat in a household of eight dogs has not been easy for my foster feline, Caesar. From Caesar's reactions to the dogs, I have assumed that he has not resided with the canine species before causing him to be very afraid.
For his first week he stayed alone in my spare room. His second week he ventured into the hallway, bathroom and another bedroom, as the dogs eyed him from behind a gate. Finally, the day came when I told him it was going to be sink or swim. It was time for this fraidy cat to face his new family and learn to hold his own. It hasn't been an easy transition but hold his own he did. My fraidy cat has now become a confident three-legged fellow when it comes to facing his doggy fears.
God sometimes calls us to do likewise. Moses was called to lead a nation out of slavery, but he too was very afraid. Gideon was called to lead an army. He too was very afraid. Jonah ran away from God's call as he too was afraid. Jesus being in anguish, prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground…..as He contemplated what lay ahead of Him on the cross.
Being afraid is part of being human. Fear should never stop us though from stepping out in faith when God calls, for as we choose to trust in Him, amidst our fears, we are also choosing the opportunity to grow passed our fears and to become more confident in our walk with Christ.
Today we do not know what may happen. We may be called by God to sink or swim. Our worst fears may come upon us, and if they do and fear strikes us, remember these two things: being a fraidy cat is human, but with God as our helper, we don't need to stay being a fraidy cat.
Psalm 16:8 tells us: "I keep my eyes on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (NIV)
I will not be shaken, for with the Lord at our side, instead of sinking we will find ourselves swimming with success, just as did Moses, Gideon, Jonah and Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that when we keep our eyes upon You, our fears can be overcome, as we become more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. In whose name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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