Security Trap

I heard a woman once say “women love security”. And though that's not biblically based, I will say that I couldn’t agree more. The only thing I would add is that actually, people love security. I’ve seen it in my own life and in countless others. Women have stayed in relationships for security. Others have stayed in living spaces for security. Men have worked jobs for years that they don’t like because of that old fashioned stronghold of security. I’ve heard things like “I don't really like this job but my bills are paid” or “I’m not really happy but we’ve been together too long to stop now” too many times. We want to know dollars and cents and every detail before we explore what's next and I don’t blame us! However, living in the kingdom requires us to have some faith when we’d rather calculate. It sounds a little like Abraham when his calculation got rearranged.

1 Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.

2 I will make you a great nation;

I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3

Could you imagine picking up and leaving all you had to go somewhere completely new with nothing but the Word of the Lord? No pictures of your destination, no real proof that all you need will be replaced when there. You just go in faith. One thing we can definitely see about Abraham is that he trusted God. To do that is a big deal and he did it with no hesitation. What if Abraham looked around and saw his comfort and stayed. What if he was too safe in his land to obey God. Would he have what he was promised? Or even enjoy life in his “safe place”? Absolutely not. Because the will of God is the safest place you could be. That’s the trap, the trap of security.

There have been many times I was met with decisions of staying in places I should not be in just for the sake of security. I knew the routine, familiar with the faces, safe in the location but God did not want me in it. It was every part of security that I could think of. However, is it really secure if it's not what God wants? Even if it feels like it is something that seems impossible. Trust me, I know.

About a year ago, I was met with a situation that required me to really trust God like I hadn’t before. Despite my background, I stepped out on faith, and I applied to school. I applied to a few schools but only wanted to attend one. A month later, I was accepted! I was so happy the Lord opened that door. However, there were some setbacks along the way. Two months later, I was told that I wouldn’t receive financial aid for at least the 1st year of my studies. I was floored. How in the world would I pay for this out of pocket? I have other bills, how am I going to pay those as well? Not to mention I already told my job that I was not returning due to school. So here I am, without full time employment and no way to pay for school by myself. Just out here trusting God.

School was starting in about 3 weeks, and I was at this point, desperate. I didn’t know how I was going to pay for school, and it immediately made me sad and frustrated thinking about it. I considered other ways of getting the money for school but in all honesty, that would have been devastating financially. Too many risks came with these options. One of them was a “back door” way of getting the money that would have shown how desperate I really was. Nothing illegal or sexual was involved, it was just simply out of the will of God. I got to a point where I shared my situation with others, and I asked God to intervene. I needed help. I wanted to obey Him but felt like my options were slim. It was that week where the idea of tuition assistance came about. There were graduate assistantships galore, however I needed financial aid to have access to it. The other option was to work at a company that gave tuition assistance. The university that I attended had that as a benefit! Now, the job search is on. I applied to several (and I do mean several) jobs on campus. I interviewed for one of them and was hired a week after! This tuition burden was lifting, God was moving things around in my favor.

I share this because, I, just like many of you, found myself in a position where I could have totally jumped ship and left the plans God had for me. I could have gone to another school, I could have gotten the money in a foolish way, or I could have given up completely. But I had to hold on to faith and believe that God would make a way according to His will.

You might find yourself trusting God with your first step of faith and then turn around and question the process. Question why it seems so hard or impossible. It might cause you to reconsider and go back to what you know “works”. Even though it seems safer, or provides more security, it’s not. If it’s in God’s will, it's the safest place you can be. Tough times included. So, start the business, go back to school, write the book, step out on faith. Because the real security is in your “Yes”.

Until next time,

Jess