TERRY’S TESTIMONY

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.

~1 John 4:18 NKJV

“Sometimes I have to step out in fear,” Terry said matter-of-factly.

“So, you’re afraid when you pray with someone?”

“I am, usually. But the moment I start to minister, God’s anointing comes, and all the fear leaves.”

I knew my friend spoke the truth because I, too, had stepped out in fear many times. I’d also discovered that the anointing would come. But the prerequisite was stepping out despite wrestling with fear.

TAKE A STEP OF FAITH

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

~Hebrews 2:10 NKJV

Bride of Christ, do you also grapple with fear when you minister? Take a step of faith. God’s anointing will come as you do.

Many situations may give us reasons to pause. We naturally hesitate when there’s a lot at stake, when the environment we will enter is questionable, or when the timing is inconvenient.

We need to be like my friend Terry and minister afraid.

It’s easier to step out of our comfort zone when we remember we are vessels that Beloved ministers through. He does the work—not us. Our Bridegroom owns the anointing. He shows us our assignments. We just need to show up and step out, even if we do so in fear.

Jesus has preordained the good works we will do. So, even though situations might stretch us to the max, pushing us beyond what we are comfortable doing, Jesus is already there. We can step out in fear if necessary because our Bridegroom already knows what we need to make our efforts successful.

LOVE’S INNER STRUGGLE

My Beloved has gone to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

~Song 6:2 NKJV

In Song of Solomon, Love is having the same inner struggle we experience (Song 5:2-8). Beloved Jesus comes in the night, imploring her to depart with Him. But Love doesn’t share His sense of urgency. She’s already washed and in bed. Why should she go to some scary place to influence difficult people when she can rest at home?

Beloved’s reaction is sobering: He departs. He does not love His Bride less, but He cannot wait for her to get ready. Souls are at risk. They need Him right away, and He knows their situations are dire. They can’t wait. Therefore, neither does He.

As Love struggles to rise, she is heartbroken when she discovers her Bridegroom has departed. She opens the door, and her fingers touch the oil of myrrh He has left for her to discover. He leaves this ointment as a clue. She knows where to find Him. He is in the Sharon Valley, a location people came to often to seek the Lord.

The Bride’s myrrh-drenched fingers remind her of her priestly position. Love is Queen. She must step into her calling to find her Beloved, and she must love His people as He does. Even if she steps out afraid, she must answer Him. And she must do so swiftly!

We too have this same calling. Remember, we are Love. This is our story. Peter drives home the importance of our pastoral role: “But you are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV).

Our Bridegroom has commissioned us. Let’s do this!

LOVE REPENTS

If you find my beloved … tell him I am lovesick!

~Song 5:8b

Repentant, Love searches for her Bridegroom. When she finds Him, He implores her to minister with Him right away. He does not shame her. Instead, He equips her with His priestly anointing oil of myrrh.

From then on, she operates as a harvester and discipler of souls. The anointing comes upon her from the crown of her head to the souls of her sparkly sandals and to the core of her being.

Does Jesus send Love to minister in any fearful situations? He certainly does. But He ministers with her.

The Bridegroom sends Love to the same family and friends who once criticized her. No wonder she feared. However, Beloved replaces fear with faith, and she is effective. The people she frees were once her enemies. Now, they soften as she shares the joy she has found in her Bridegroom.

A GIFT TO BELOVED

There will I give thee my loves.

~Song 7:12b KJV

Over time, Love becomes confident. She even initiates ministry trips, saying, “Come, my beloved. Let us go forth into the field; Let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards; Let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth. There will I give thee my loves (Song 7:11-12 KJV).

The word loves in the above passage indicates souls filled with God’s divine love. The Bride gifts Beloved with souls she has ministered to who have been transformed by her messages about Him.

We can give Beloved Jesus this same gift—souls won and discipled for the Kingdom.

STEP OUT, EVEN IF YOU’RE AFRAID

I became in his eyes as one who found peace.

~Song 8:10b NKJV

Bride of Christ, we know the incredible kiss of peace our Beloved has imparted to us. How can we not share His story and His love? Step out, even when you are feeling fearful, and minister. In inconvenient times, minister. In scary situations, serve. Fully embrace that Jesus has commissioned you, His Bride, to be a soul winner and discipler.

Every. Soul. Matters!

The lover of our souls is worth every ounce of our devotion. He dearly loves the people He wants us to reach. Bring souls into the Kingdom and help them to grow in the knowledge of our Beloved Bridegroom.

King Jesus sees the urgency in reaching souls. Do we?

Are you willing to minister, afraid?

My Beloved Jesus, help me to win and disciple souls even when I’m afraid. I trust that Your anointing will come and faith will arise within me, overcoming all fear.

Your Bride,

Love

Genre: Bible Study

Copyright 2023: Step Out in Fear: Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved