Set Free for God’s Glory
If there is any character in the scriptures that I relate to the most, it’s Moses. Not in the sense of getting sent adrift into the Nile River as a baby but being chained up with the spirit of timidity. When I was younger, I was always afraid to look at people in the eyes. In a room full of strangers, I used to always hide away because I couldn’t work up the courage to have conversations with them. Moreover, it didn’t help when some people in my past, such as a teacher in my high school, told me that I was not capable of achieving my academic goals. The comment that person made really stuck out to me in my teenage years. It led me into thinking that I was not good at anything. There was no point in trying new things because I was afraid of the thought of failing. I have made peace with it and have no resentment towards them now because I understand that those comments are just lies of the enemy.
When given the task to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses replied to God, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” (Exodus 4:1). After God showed to Moses that He would be with him through signs and wonders, Moses went ahead to say, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10).
I’ve been in that situation before where I felt that I do not measure up to the tasks God has for me. When I was in my first year of university, I was called to be the leader of our youth care group here at IFGF Vancouver. It was a daunting task for me to accept the calling as I felt that I was not qualified for the role. However, God gently reminded me of these two truths in order to deliver me from my fear and insecurities.
During my quiet time with God, He reminded me that it was time for me to let go of my past hurts and hand them over to God. I wrote it in my journal of all the lies that the enemy said about me and found specific bible verses that would help to remind myself of how God sees me. I am enough (Psalms 139: 13-16), I am a child of the living God (Romans 8:15), and I am made new (2 Corinthians 5:17) and whole through Christ.
I then renounced any spirit of timidity within me and asked God to restore me with confidence and security that can only be found through Him. Whenever I am caught up in an intrusive thought or negative self-talk, I spoke 2 Timothy 1:7 over my soul, “for the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” Whenever I allow Christ to empower me with His truth, I noticed that fear no longer holds its power over me.
I realized that my identity lies in Jesus, so I was no longer bothered by the negative comments that people said about me. It dawned on me that God uses the instances in our lives that are intended to be awfulfor good. He shaped my perspective to see that I am meant to rely on Him rather than on my own strength. Based on the reading from Exodus 4, it is apparent that Moses’ was clouded and crippled by fear. He failed to see that in spite of his limitations, our God is the almighty God. He is able to deliver, give hope, and make way when we are placed in a difficult situation.
Therefore, I encourage you my brothers and sisters in Christ, to hide the Word of God in your heart. Yield your heart to His divine direction and combat the enemy’s lies. It is such a liberating feeling to give our anxieties and past to God. Only God can set us free from living with a victim mentality to living victoriously. As I drew my focus to Jesus, it became less about me or my fears. Rather, I learned to find my sense of security through Christ alone. Now, it became a story of victory where He wants to use me despite my limitations and weaknesses.
In Exodus 4:12, God instructed to Moses,“Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Taking the perspective of Moses for a minute, I understand that talking to the Pharaoh and demanding him to let the Israelites go is not an easy assignment. On the other hand, I believe God has strategically placed Moses to be where he needed to be in order to set the His people free from the control of Pharaoh. It wasn’t a coincidence that God saved Moses from death as a baby and sent him to be the one who saves the Israelites from oppression. Similarly, when God has called us to freedom from sin into His glorious light, we are also commissioned to share this truth to everyone who has yet to know about Christ. Christ is teaching us to have compassion the way He does and practice obedience.
I used to limit myself into thinking that I cannot talk to people, I’m an introvert. But God has helped me to let go of that anxiety and think about it as learning about other peoples’ story. It really is about connecting with people, making them feel seen, heard, and valued. I always remind myself to be there for the people who feel lonely or broken-hearted, as well as to go where the needs are.
Over the years, God has compelled me to empower and encourage the young generation. My life story has become an inspiration to the youths of our church. Never in my life would I have imagined myself as a speaker and a teacher. This year God gave me and a member of our church, Natalia, the opportunity to come along Ps. Herman Ong to share the message for the young generation conferences at IFGF Uganda and Zimbabwe.
I was blessed to be surrounded by these hearts that yearn for change and wanting to impact their community outside of the church. I shared a bit about my testimony of stepping outside of comfort zone, allowing God to fulfill His purpose in my life, and offering our lives as a living sacrifice in our day by our actions, speech, attitude, and lifestyle. It’s amazing to see a spark of excitement in the youths as they shared stories about their journey with God during our young generation conferences. To God be the glory.
It makes me teary every time I think about how far God has taken me. It is incredible to see His grace in wanting to use someone as broken and imperfect as me. I am compelled by His love for me and the way that I can look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of my faith. As Apostle Paul mentioned in Galatians 5:13,” You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” We are first called to a relationship with Jesus, so that we can make Him known through our lives. We are called to love Him through loving others.
Church, we are meant to work in partnership with Him and bear fruits through every good deed we do for the Kingdom of God. However, it is important that we give ourselves a quick check: is there any area in my life that I need to surrender to God? Anything from my past that I need to resolve and let God to work in me? Or perhaps you are being called to something that seems to be beyond your comfort zone? I pray that you will continue to step into the freedom that God has graciously given to us, so that we may live our faith in our family, school, the marketplace, and wherever God has placed us in ministry.
Blessings,
Jennifer Wijaya
Global Women Coordinator
