I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
–Philippians 3:14
David Livingstone was a famous missionary from Scotland who was known for his pioneering medical missions in Africa. His adventurous spirit characterized his entire life. In fact, he was once quoted as saying, “I’ll go anywhere as long as it is forward.”
It’s not easy to move forward in the face of adversity. I’m sure even Dr. Livingstone, while hiking through the dark jungles of Africa, sweating and mosquito-bitten, probably had a few moments when he thought, “Did I really decide to do this?!”
It’s been said that “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” And when moving forward in the Christian life, whether changing how you live, changing how you act, or even becoming a missionary, our obedience to God should always be the driving factor over our fear!
You may be facing some adversity today. Perhaps there are scoffers in your life who make fun of you for your beliefs. Maybe you have some kind of addiction and you don’t think you can break free. Or, it’s possible God is calling you to do something big for him.
When it comes to your response to these questions, don’t act based on your fear. Act despite your fear because your service to God is the most important thing in your life!
DON’T LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE BASED ON FEAR. BUT MOVE FORWARD IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD DESPITE THE FEAR YOU MAY BE FEELING.
