Is God Calling You to Go Out On a Limb?

By Judy Johnston

I’ve been reading through Max Lucado’s book, “God Came Near” with a new friend.  I met Michelle at church in a small group and since then we have had some sweet times of fellowship together. 

“God Came Near,” was the first Max Lucado book that I read and it has been a pleasure to re-read it with Michelle.  The day I gave her the book we were at the beach.  Michelle was so excited she couldn’t sleep and I remember waking up at 3AM and hearing her in the bathroom with the door closed reading aloud to herself in a whisper, the first chapter of the book.  It is a precious memory of two ladies beginning an exciting adventure into a new friendship. 

The book is especially nice to read before Christmas.  Lucado expands our mindset on the incarnation of Christ.  This week we went over the chapter about the Joseph and the risks that he took when he trusted God for his future and the future of his family.  Lucado’s word picture was of Joseph being, “out on a limb.”  Let me tell you it was a tiny little branch with the weight of the world on it, ready to fracture at any minute. 

Can you imagine putting yourself in Joseph’s place and thinking of what you would have to do to stand beside Mary and take her as his wife? Here’s a partial list:

To stand beside Mary, Joseph had to:

·        Ignore the gossip

·        Defend her

·        Protect her

o   From rumors

o   From a tyrannical King who killed babies

o   From his synagogue, who would tell him to divorce and let her suffer her own shame

o   From his own arguing family-his parents would have demanded his loyalty to them

·        Trust Mary, God & Gabriel in impossible circumstances

·        Provide for her pregnancy

 

In the bible study that follows the 3 page chapter, Lucado asks many questions that maybe you should ask yourself.

 

In what ways today does God call us to venture into the unknown?

 

When have you felt God asked you to go out on a limb for Him?

How did you respond?

What were the results?

 

We are constantly confronted with this comfort zone that we live in.  Like a bubble it can keep us from experiencing the fullness of what God has for us.  Yes, we are safe and taken care of but never-the-less God calls us to something more.  Life without risks is daily, uneventful.  I’m so glad I have always answered “Yes” to God’s requests of me to take a chance on the unknown.  Lucado’s final question is telling, “Is God calling me to go out on a limb? “  Ask yourself; maybe just maybe God has a new plan for your life in 2013?