When God Nudges You to Get Out of the Boat:

I must admit I am not much of a dreamer.

I am a play it safe kind of girl. Many years ago I was in the trenches of motherhood when I heard a sermon that provoked quite a reaction in me. It was in the early years of raising twin boys. I was knee high in diapers.  I had the responsibility of raising three kids under the age of 5. A preacher was preaching about God planting dreams in the hearts of His people. I didn’t know why at the time, but I felt really irritated in my spirit. I got uncomfortable.  In my mind, I was thinking, I don’t want to do anything except take a nap right now. A nap was honestly my great inspirational dream at that moment.  The preacher went on to say dream big, think outside the box, let God birth dreams in your heart.

For some reason this sermon agitated me.

I later realized it was because God was up to something at that moment. He was birthing something in my spirit. God was dropping a dream in my heart.  I was uncomfortable because I like my comfort zone.  I am very happy and content in my comfort zone. God was shaking me right out of my comfort zone. Over time that dream began to grow.  God used other people to water the dream inside of me.  A few months after my uncomfortable encounter with this sermon God reminded me of a prophecy that was spoken over my life. I had forgotten the prophecy.

Years earlier I was pregnant with the twins.

I had not told any family members that I was pregnant yet alone pregnant with twins. Someone at my parent’s retirement party spoke a word of prophecy over me.  It said that words would start pouring out of me. They went on to say I would be woken up in the middle of the night with this creative spirit that would spring forth through words. They said it would start pouring out of me when I least expected it. I actually never thought about it again for years. I knew my life was about to get busy with three kids.

God has ways of moving us to the center of His will without us even knowing.

It took a prophecy, a planting of a dream, and many years to move me to where God wanted me to be. Five years after the first prophecy, I began to wake up in the middle of the night and write things down. I didn’t even know why I was writing these things down. Words started flowing out of me like a river.  To be honest it wasn’t my words. It was God’s words and my pen. I was just the pen He used to write His words. God leaves his thumbprint on our path to get us to where we are supposed to be. We often don’t realize the connections till later when we look back.  I began to see the writing on the wall at this point.

I took a leap of faith and started writing.  

When God tells you to get out of the boat you must activate your faith and walk on water.  You might find yourself looking over the edge of the boat scared to get out and start walking on water too. It’s very scary to get out of the boat. However, when God tells you to get out of the boat it means he’s going to help you walk on water. When God’s anointing is upon you it carries you through your insecurities, fear of failure, setbacks, and weaknesses.  You have no idea what you are capable of when God’s spirit is inside you.

Philippians 4:13, boldly proclaims, ” I can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives me strength.”

This verse was written to help you get out of the boat.

Philippians 4:13 is way more than a scripture verse. It is a way of living. It’s a mindset. It’s a promise. It’s a source of power. It is the 4:13 Principle. It’s how I live my life. God recently told me to share this story to encourage others who are going through the birthing process of a dream. When God places a dream in your heart it is because God trust you with His plans.  You might be pregnant with a dream. If you are you don’t need other people to like you, or approve your dream, or hope they give you a break. It’s not going to come from the outside, it’s going to come from the inside of you. God has already put it inside you. If only you would believe you will give birth to your dream.  This is where Sara in the bible almost missed it. She thought her victory was going to come from someone else. But the promised child was to come through her. God put the promise inside of Sara.

Once you step out of the boat in faith there will be setbacks.

This does not mean the dream was not from God.  Expect it.  Keep your eyes fixed on God and walk straight through every single road block that comes your way. If God has anointed you to do it, he’ll provide the solution. Don’t get stuck in the setback. The fact that the enemy attacks you is evidence of your calling and purpose. Remember by changing your perspective you can turn your setback into an opportunity. I often asked my father growing up how he survived so many years in the ministry. He always gave me the same response. His response taught me a valuable lesson. He said when times get rough I remember my calling.  If God has called you; cling to your calling. God birthed this dream inside you because he trusts you with his plan.

Remember the Following Steps:

• Hold on to that dream and get out of the boat
• Trust the plan of God
• Watch for connections 
• Work through your setbacks
• Fix your eyes on God

This play it safe, non-risk taker, is giving you permission to dream!!! When it’s time to get out of the boat you will walk on water, because God is right there with you.