Cry out to Jesus

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

I couldn’t breath. I couldn’t move. I was surrounded.

I dared not trust my legs to hold me, much less carry me across the crowded courtyard. “Why did I even come?”

In my heart, I cried out, “God, help me! I’m desperate. I feel so awkward. I am so self-conscious. I want to disappear.”

Self-conscious – the word echoed inside me like butterflies in my stomach.

“You are so conscious of yourself, would you even hear me if I spoke to you tonight?” As the doors opened for the evening campus church service, I sensed the Lord saying, “Be conscious of ME.”

Self-conscious, self-centered, what’s the difference? Labeled as “shy,” I spent my life thinking about myself and fearing what people thought of me.

I realized that night, if someone in that crowd of students needed encouragement and God wanted to use me to minister to them, I would be of no use. I would never even see them. All I could see was myself and my own fear.

“Lord, forgive me for being so self-absorbed. Help me to be conscious of others and centered on You.”

Are you feeling a little insecure about something today?

Self-conscious or others-conscious; it all depends on whether we are self-centered or God-centered. We all have weaknesses, limitations, and difficulties, but when we look to Jesus and follow His example, we find the courage we need to face anything. He endured the cross; we can find no greater inspiration.

Cry out to God and then look around. Others need us. We can encourage someone else, give away a blessing. Spend less time looking in the mirror and more time looking out the window. Take you eyes off yourself and let Christ set you free from insecurities.

Deborah Kessler, the second of five children born to a military chaplain, accepted Jesus as her savior at the age of five. Discipled by her mother and several mature Christian women, Deborah has a passion for inductive Bible study and discipleship. After graduating from Liberty University, she taught in Florida, married, and moved to Pennsylvania where she now home schools two sons and a daughter. You can read her blog at http://seekingonesgarden.blogspot.com/
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