There’s a long list of phobias—common and uncommon fears—and it can feel like there’s an endless list of things to be afraid of. From my personal experience, if we allow that fear to take root in our lives, it can cripple us. It can keep us from taking a step forward or doing something we feel called to do but just won’t.
When I was young, I always had fears and anxiety, especially around new people. I’m an introvert and have a fear of public speaking. But experiencing the Youth Rush program helped me so much, even when it felt like one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had: going door to door talking to people who didn’t want me there and talking with random strangers was something I was completely scared of.
I was always scared to share my opinion based on how people might perceive or judge me, so I kept my thoughts inside. I was a quiet kid in high school. Going through Youth Rush helped me become more confident in expressing myself and grow spiritually.
One of the most common fears people have is the fear of public speaking. Maybe some of us can relate to that. There’s someone in the Bible who was also scared of public speaking—Moses.
God Sends us Where We Wouldn’t go to Fulfill What we Couldn’t do Alone
This is such a powerful calling that God places in Moses. Remember when God called you? When He called you to step into a position you didn’t feel ready for? Or to do something big that was bigger than what you’d experienced before?
It’s a scary thing. Moving from Oregon to Southern California was scary for me. It wasn’t just me—it was my wife and daughter, too. We had to figure out where to live and how we’d make it. But we realized that when God calls us, He doesn’t send us off by ourselves. He sends His presence with us.
That’s a valid question. Many of us have asked the same thing when God has called us to step into ministry, start a new project, or lead something new. We often ask, “Who am I?”
When God calls us, He equips us for that task. God uses our weaknesses to bring about His purposes.
You Are Called Even When You Feel Unqualified
A piece of wood. A stick. An ordinary thing Moses carried every day. It’s kind of an unusual question, “What is that in your hand?” God moves the focus away from Moses’ lack of qualification and points to what’s already in his possession.
God often uses ordinary people and ordinary things to do great things. That same staff was used to part the Red Sea, turn the Nile into blood, summon plagues, and bring water from a rock. God uses the little skills or gifts we have to do something great and tremendous.
When we see a snake, our natural reaction is to run—and that’s exactly what Moses did. But God told him to grab it by the tail, which is even more uncomfortable. Sometimes God calls us out of our comfort zone to face our fears so He can bring about His purposes. That’s where growth takes place.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do something every day that scares you.” She wasn’t saying to do something reckless or dangerous—just something that pushes you beyond your comfort zone. Maybe God is calling you to do something like that today. When He does, we can be reassured, just like Moses, that He’ll be there with us.
God’s Power Is Greater Than your Fears
Whatever that thing is that God has put in your heart, remember that His power is greater than the fear you have.
The question to close with is: What are you willing to put in God’s hands today?
This holiday season is a good opportunity to serve our community, to be a church that exists outside its walls. What’s that ordinary thing in your hand—something that could be a blessing to your family, friends, or community?
I was able to reconnect recently with my cousin, whom I’ve known since the day he was born. He started working at Northgate Market at age 15 and has seen God’s blessings throughout his life. Now he’s a store director. As we caught up, and I told him about the work I do with Youth Rush, he said, “I think I met one of your people in the parking lot at Northgate.”
He told me how someone shared books with him, saying something like, “God has blessed you so much—don’t you want to share that blessing with me?” When he described her, I realized it was Darlene, one of our Youth Rush students. He said she gave him Steps to Christ, and it’s been a big blessing in his life.
It was great to see how everything came together and to be reminded that even ordinary things—like a book in someone’s hand—can be used by God for something powerful. That thing in your hand may seem ordinary to you, but God definitely has a plan and purpose for it.
