While I was sitting at my dining room table scrolling through Twitter, I was “updating” myself on what was going on in the language community. Remember, I teach Spanish, and recently just added the title “presenter” to my CV (curriculum vitae). I’ll get to that in a little bit. Anyway, I saw an opportunity for me to submit a proposal to present at a national world language conference. The link was on Twitter. It happens every year. I had never thought about it until then. Little did I know, bold and radical obedience through faith would be required of me.

The more I stared at the rubric and guidelines, I could feel the fear rising up with doubts. You can’t do this! Who is going to listen to you? You’re not ready. Yes, all of that. After I took two deep breaths, I knew in my Spirit that I was supposed to submit a proposal. I immediately thought to myself, No way God. Nope.  However, I’ve learned early on in my journey with Him, when we make a choice to move by faith, there is always obedience involved. So I spent that night, typing up my proposal. I wasn’t even sure if I had enough of what I was supposed to based on the rubric, but at 11:59 pm that night, I submitted it. As I did so, I thanked God that it was in His hands, as well as giving me the strength, and motivation, to hit the  submit button while battling fear.

Fast forward three months, I was on my way back from a trip in Mexico.  As I was sitting at a Starbucks in the airport talking to one of my best friends, I picked up my phone to check my email.  I had been checking my email on and off because it was stated that those who submitted a proposal would find out that month whether or not the proposals would be accepted.   Upon looking at my email, I saw the name of the national conference in the subject line. I clicked to open it and the first word I saw was Congratulations.  The tears immediately welled up in my eyes.   

My best friend looked at me and asked me what was wrong.  I immediately shared with her that a proposal I submitted, was accepted, and that I was going to be presenting at the national world language expo and conference for the very first time.  I was so humbled, overjoyed, and thankful. God did this and I was obedient to the “push” that I felt! You might be wondering, What did He do?  What do you mean?

As we journey by faith, obedience is required on our part.  It is absolutely impossible to journey by faith without us having any type of accountability.
 
You see that a man (believer) is justified by works and not by faith alone [that is, by acts of obedience a *born-again believer reveals his faith].
(James 2:24, AMP)
*referring to one who has committed their life to Jesus Christ
 
Remember the word works in this context is referring to acts of obedience.  When we use the word justified, this speaks to coming into such a state of favour and friendship with God (click here to read and study more on the implications of justifying faith)

If I wanted, I could have made that choice to submit to that fear and not do it, but I love God, I want to trust Him, I know He has the best plan for my life, and wanted to see this through!  As a result of me making that choice to put my faith in Him (pushing past fear) through works, not only did He reward me (with the proposal being accepted, not to mention the hundreds of people that were encouraged with what I had to say at the conference, and more speaking opportunities to follow), but He increased my level of faith from that point on!
 
But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.   (Hebrews 11:6, AMP)

So I conclude this article with the one question, “Are you going to obey God in your journey of faith?” Maybe there is a project, something that you were supposed to tell someone, a new job venture, a new entrepreneurial opportunity that you have been putting off due to fear…are you going to do it or not?
 
The choice is yours!  Let God show you what He can do through you, so that you can encourage others with your testament of how awesome He is.

I hope this encouraged you!  Keep moving by faith!
 
-Kia