It was another incredible Sunday having Donna Parachin come and speak to the Lifespring family. As always, she released so much – please, if you missed it, watch the sermon here: https://www.youtube.com/live/9uybzxWnqlY?si=2MSmn4J7V0j9Nd67
Numbers 13
Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites… Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We CAN’T attack those people; they are stronger than we are.”
As Donna was speaking I felt the Lord focus my attention on these words: Can’t Just Means Won’t. All throughout our lives we see moments that will challenge us and take us outside of our comfort zone. The first thing we respond with is “I Can’t”! We weigh what is before us, we see the challenges, the obstacles, the risks and we conclude… I Can’t!
There are a lot of things I don’t think I can do… I don’t think at this point in my life I can become a professional basketball player, I can’t! But the scary part of this mentality and attitude is when it becomes an automatic response – even when the Lord guides us.
As a church family, we have been learning how to hear God both corporately and individually. Hearing him often comes with moments that will take us out of our comfort zone and challenge us. When we decided to sow 7 wells in 2022, that was a challenge for me! It was the first time in digital recorded budgets where we planned for a deficit! Lord… deficit is not how we do things. God… we are trying to save for a church building. I can’t… worst yet WE can’t!
But God continued to press on our hearts to give water. It was not a good plan – it was God’s plan. In the end we covered every well cost and had the highest tithe in digitally recorded history.
When God speaks, we always have the choice whether we are willing to walk through the door. Going where God leads can be terrifying – we put aside our norm in hopes of something better, but if through the door is where God wants us – then I guarantee it is always better. Because being where God is, is always the right place to be.
Life is full of “I Can’t”, but wherever you are in life, in whatever ways you hold in your life that “you can’t”, I give you a Scripture that God tells Joshua to encourage him in the face of “I Can’t”:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go
Joshua 1:9