Filled to Pour: How to Quit Running From Your Calling & Lead (Imperfectly) Well
Who do you think you are?
That’s always what the sneering bullies of fear and shame whisper to my heart when God presents an opportunity for me to do something I was made for.
Every child my womb has carried into this world has been birthed upon a battleground, where unforeseen health + familial challenges have tested our faith, hope and courage.
And I’ve come to learn that the warfare is no different for every spiritual pregnancy I’ve had—where God conceived his plans, dreams and purposes for my life into my heart, and hell did all it could to see that his mission was aborted.
I know you’ve felt it too.
The flutter of your heart’s excitement over the beautiful, infinite possibilities of what God has in store for your life.
The child-like wonder that widens your gaze to see that this big God has also called you to mighty things.
But then come the whispers of doubt, the accusations swirling around your inadequacies, and the regurgitation of your past faults.
Who are you to do this?
You’re not _____ enough.
You don’t have enough _____.
If they knew you were _____, they’d wouldn’t have picked you.
So when we talk about imposter syndrome, what we really need to recognize is that the war within us is a result of the war around us.
Whether we acknowledge or ignore it, there are spiritual realities and entities that affect our natural world and experiences.
I believe there’s a violent collision that always takes place whenever God desires to birth something into the world to bring redemption, beauty and resolve to the brokenness of it. I believe there are spiritual beings who hate both God and us, and will do all they can to sabotage and dismantle that harmony.
So without fail, every time I have made up my mind to partner with God in obedience, to see the dreams of his heart actualize, I am overcome by intrusive, deprecating thoughts that try bullying me into agreement and yank me on a downward spiral into worthlessness, hopelessness and defeat.
And I know it’s not just me!
So should we just bow out?
Should we run from our callings and hide in the comfort of the shadows?
Should we ask God to just get somebody else to do it?
Tune in to our discussion + prayer session about the keys to overcoming imposter syndrome over your calling.
Today’s Meditation
Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8-14, 2:1-4 & John 15:4-5
Recently, a woman that’s like a little sister to me asked if I could mentor her.
I was both humbled and honored by her request. But almost instantaneously, there were fears that began to bubble to the surface of my heart.
Like clockwork, here came the whispers:
Who are you to do this? You’re not worthy of being somebody’s mentor. It’s too big of a job. You’re not qualified and you’re not good enough.
Rather than agreeing with this lying voice, I let God in on my hopes and hesitations.
As I spilled on him, he filled me with truth, reminding me that I’m equipped not because of anything I’ve done, but because Jesus has done all the heavy lifting and will be with me in every step.
This moment made me wonder how many other women have been tormented by the lie that they’re unworthy of leading?
How many women have been muzzled because they’ve believed their voices don’t matter?
How many women have deferred their God-given responsibilities to someone else because they feel inadequate, unqualified or unequipped?
And how many people will remain suffering bound by chains that God called us to free them from?
We all need our cups to be filled up—by connection with God and in faith-building community. But we also have a mandate to pour out on others what’s been poured into us.
As long as we remain tethered to him, all the things we deem impossible can become reality. As long as we depend upon ourselves, it all will simply come to nothing.
As you read + meditate on today’s verses I want you to ask yourself:
What scares you about the calling and responsibility God is inviting you into?
Are there unrealistic expectations you or others are putting upon you that God hasn’t?
What does dependency upon God look like?
What would be the next step you’d take if you weren’t afraid?
Our callings feel weighty because they are weighty!
They feel impossible because they are impossible, in and of ourselves.
If you feel unworthy or unqualified for whatever God has called you too, you’re right where he wants you.
We need him. We need his wisdom, his empowerment, his protection, and more.
On our own strength, all we do is in vain and will come to nothing. But with him, what is hard can actually become easy, fulfilling and mark our lives with joy in ways our own little efforts couldn’t dream of.
Missed out on a Bible meditation from this fast? Catch up below!
When we empty ourselves upon God, we can be filled to the full with life.