Where in life do you hesitate? Is it at work before you hand your boss the big project you been working on hoping it is correct? Is it at school as you write the essay or fill in the bubble hoping it is the right answer? Do you hesitate with your family wondering if you should tell them about how you may lose your job? Do you hesitate around your children thinking that you have to be the best example for them and to keep them sheltered so they do not know the evil in the world? Do you hesitate with God?
To hesitate, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary is as follows:
1: to hold back in doubt or indecision
I find that, in my life, I hesitate in relationships. I wonder if I’m making the right decisions in regards to the type of relationships I have with certain individuals. I wonder if my relationship with God is strong enough to make it through the roughest circumstances; would I be like Job? I wonder if I am a good example for those who are searching for hope, love, and faith around me. I wonder if I am making disciples who make disciples or if I am just talking in one ear and out the other. I wonder if what I say matters or if it could change a life. I wonder if what I say affects my relationships in a negative way – what would happen if I talk about God around this person, what would they think? My hesitation come from fear; fear of not being good enough.
1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker [leather worker] as they were, he stayed and worked with them.4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not [stop] be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." (Acts 18: 1-10)
To the man that many believe to be just like Peter, a rock, God saw his fear: his hesitation. Paul in his daily life (work- not just a disciple, but a leather worker-, church, and his neighborhood) spoke the word of God, yet he was afraid of something for God to speak to it. However, in verses 9 and 10, God gives Paul comfort with three commands and three promises:
1. Do not [stop] be afraid
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For I am with you
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2. Keep on speaking
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And no one is going to attack and harm you
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3. Do not be silent
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Because many people in this city belong to me
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God tells us not to worry about what might happen and who will say or do what, He says continue to speak about Him. We are designed to speak His name in praise and to make disciples who make disciples. This does not mean make a clone of you!! This means make people who are so fired up about God that they have to share what God is doing in their life to everyone else.
Do not be afraid is said more than 70 times in the Bible. Do not be afraid for God is with you! Inspire others to not hesitate and realize that there is no need to hesitate for fear of anything in this world. This world will pass and you will pass also, God is forever and eternity. Cling to Him and care not what this world can do to you. Though it is easier said than done (trust me, I know) we must reach to God as He holds on to us.
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