Yesterday I met up with a friend who is about to step outside of her comfort zone to do some very new and somewhat different things for the Lord. She told me she is ready but at the same time a little afraid.
This morning as I was studying the Word of God, I came across this verse in the scriptures:
“Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they [Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome*] were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” ~ Mark 16:2-8 (NIV)
I immediately remembered the conversation my friend and I had. I laughed as I read how they were on their way to honor the Lord by anointing His body. They were going to do a good thing but were somewhat afraid and worried about who was going to roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb before they got there.
This is so like God’s children. We worry about things that we are led to do even before we get started. If God is leading us to do it, why are we worrying? I do my best to live in the present and cast all of my cares on Jesus, but at times, I find myself guilty of this.
The funny part is when they arrived, the stone had already been rolled away! Glory to God! 😂 The heavy object, the hard part, that obstacle, that mountain has already been moved out of our way.
This is so like the Lord to have the stone rolled out of our way before we get to the place He is leading us to.
Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome received a word from the young man telling them not to be afraid, and more importantly, telling them that Jesus “is going ahead of you” yet they were still afraid even trembling and confused.
This is for my friend and anyone out there that is afraid to launch out into the deep (Luke 5:4), walk on the water (Matthew 14:29), or step outside of your comfort zone (Joshua 1:9).
When God has given you something to do, given you a vision, or called you somewhere, know that He has already rolled the stone away, Jesus will go ahead of you and God has sent Holy Spirit to comfort and help you. (John 14:16)
This does not mean there won’t be any obstacles or mountains to climb. It means that God will be with you throughout the process.
*Just as a side note, another thing I found interesting was the two Marys were with Salome whose name means peace. Peace was with them in more ways than one and they didn’t even know it. I could say more about that, but that’s a topic for a different day. 😄
Here are some scriptures to refer to when you are feeling afraid to do what God is leading you to do:
“for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” ~ Matthew 17:20-21
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” ~ 1 Peter 5:6-7
“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Luke 5:4
“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” Matthew 14:29
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” ~ Joshua 1:9
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” ~ John 14:16
