Reminiscence: Stepping Out

Lesson #1: Don't be afraid to step out.

OK, you may have heard lots of people talk about this. When you want to chase your dreams, you can often feel held back by many things, but a lot of time what holds you back is fear.

Let me just tell you this, doing track was never a dream of mine. I consider myself more of a nerdy, musical, non-athletic person. Yes, I knew at some point in my high school years I would have to do track, but I shook in fear just thinking about it.

You're not alone. You may think you're the only person who is afraid of stepping out. You may have huge dreams that you know are going to change people's lives, but you're chained in by fear. Just know that you're not the only one dealing with fear.

This is my one main point for stepping out and pursuing your dreams.

Identify what you're afraid of.

Why are you afraid? For me, I was afraid of joining track because (1) I felt that I wasn't fast, (2) I felt I wasn't going to fit in, (3) I worried people were going to judge me for not being fast, (4) I wouldn't be able to handle the rigorous work, and (5) it was going to be just a terrible experience overall.

Throughout the past couple of months, I have knocked every single fear off my list.

If you saw me run, you certainly wouldn't think Oh yes, that is a natural track star right there. Yeah, I was not the fastest person at all. But as I trained all season, I gradually became faster. Every race I ran I PRed in. (PR- personal record) I got faster, even if it was by hundredths of a second by the end of the season. Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ." My growth was a gradual growth, but it was a great feeling in the end knowing I had tried as hard as I could.

Fear Conquered.

My first day of track I was terrified. All these athletes seemed to know each other and I was totally picturing myself being that kid who just stood in the corner while everyone chatted their heads off. Nope! My track commissioner introduced me to his daughter (who is so incredibly sweet) and I felt better immediately. I was able to meet new people on my team and form friendships. I knew I wasn't going to be alone anymore because I wasn't going to be excluded. [Disclaimer: Ever heard the saying In order to be friends you must first be one? I couldn't solely rely on people to be nice to me. I had to be nice to people to and talk to them. I couldn't rely on them to do all the talking! Making new friends requires you to be friendly in order for people to friendly to you too!]

Fear Conquered.

Like I said before, I wasn't fast. As I trained and worked at practices, my teammates encouraged me as I did to them as well. All I needed was a simple "Good job" and I felt a little better that half-dying (lol) while training was worth it. This is the Golden Rule. Matthew 7:12 says, "Do to others what you would have them do to you." Just do and say to other people what you want them to do and say to you. You want people to tell you you're doing a good job? You tell them they're doing good work first.

Fear Conquered.

In the beginning, the work was hard for me. I had to do everything in increments because it was a lot for me. Sometimes what you're doing can seem like a lot and you just have to take it small and slow. This way you can get used to whatever it is you're doing. A lot of times taking it slow is the way to go. Luke 16:10-11 says, "If you’re honest in small things, you’ll be honest in big things; If you’re a crook in small things, you’ll be a crook in big things. If you’re not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store?" As time progressed, I was able to build up the harder workouts, and my endurance strengthened. You'll find that too if you just work up to the big things you want to do. God will see that you're faithful in the small things and he'll entrust you with more.

Fear Conquered.

Looking back, track was really not a terrible experience. I feel better about myself physically, I've made friends, and I've come away with many life lessons. As you walk through a new experience, you may feel like nothing good is coming out of it, but I promise you, when you look back you'll be surprised at all the things you've been able to do and all that you've learned.

Fear Conquered.

When you are able to identify what is making you afraid, like me, you'll probably gradually see that you're not afraid anymore as you step out. Sometimes all you need is a push in the right direction. For me, it was a little bit different since I kinda had no choice and my parents drove me and I had no way out of it. Yup, that was definitely the push I needed. Maybe that push for you is signing yourself up for a class or connecting yourself to the right people. Just know that once you step out in the direction, God will help you and show you what you need to do. You won't regret stepping out.

Just take it from me. Or, take it straight from the Word. This is what God is telling you about stepping out.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Timothy 1:7

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

James 1:22

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Jeremiah 29:11-12

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Isaiah 42:16

And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.

I hope this post encouraged you to step out in faith, believing that you are greater than your fears and God will guide you in the direction you need to go.