Called To Be Bold...

Hi guys! It's Amy...

This morning I had the opportunity to speak to approximately 250 kids at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes function called "Cold Pizza" at Rising Starr. I got involved with FCA as an 8th grader and went to monthly meetings and continued in it all the way up through my college years. To be able to pour back into an organization that poured into me was exciting! Scary, but exciting. I kept telling myself that no matter how nervous I was to speak in front of so many people (and kids can be brutal), if I just made myself do it two or three times, I'd get used to it and it wouldn't be that hard anymore. Isn't that sort of the way it is with everything in life...taking that first step is one of - if not the - hardest parts?

You can imagine how hard it is to talk to that many 6-8th graders for 15 minutes and actually hold their attention, but I walked away feeling pretty good about it! The topic I picked was "Influence" and how we have good and bad influences in our lives and it's important to be very aware of who (and what) we let be a part of our lives. For my example, I took one of the biggest athletes and asked him to stand up in a chair. I stayed where I was on the ground and asked him to try to pull me up. Of course, having gravity and solid footing on my side gave me a lot of leverage and I was easily able to pull this kid down to my level. Then I went on to explain how that example was a lot like the influences in our lives...it's easier to be pulled down than pull someone up...and we also have to be aware of what kind of influence we are on others.

Initially, I started out thinking how much I wanted to be relevant to all of the kids, but then I realized as I prepared and prayed about it that if I was relevant to only one kid there...I'd fulfilled my purpose. I feel sure that the Lord was working on someone there and I can only hope and pray that my words planted a seed inside of them to do right.

I'm curious, what is something you feel like God has asked (or is asking) for you to step out of your comfort zone and do? What made you finally take the leap - or if you haven't yet, what's holding you back? I know that's a really personal thing to ask, but I'd really love to know if you want to share!!!