Lean in.
That phrase has come out of my mouth so many times recently. I have some revelation on the depth of what it means, but I'm sure I've only scratched the surface. I'm excited to see it unfold this year.
As a worship leader in an INCREDIBLE church, people are often surprised to hear that I get nervous every time before I lead worship. I've been leading worship for 20 years or so, and yet the nerves still arrive. For me, I think those nerves are a divine reminder that I can't do it in my own strength - that I am hooped without the help of Holy Spirit.
So what do I do about nerves? How do I process fear when it comes? Well, rather than shrink back or run from it (the fight or flight decision moment), I have learned to LEAN IN to it. Now mind you, I don't give in to fear, or submit to it, I just lean in. I lean forward rather than pull back.
The dictionary defines "lean in" as follows:
To shift one's body weight forward or toward something
To embrace risk, be assertive, etc as to achieve the greatest level of success in
Powerful.
Why do I lean in?
I lean in because I have learned that fear often knocks on the door at the place of our greatest gifting or anointing. The enemy doesn't want us stepping into what we are anointed for, so he will send fear knocking in hopes that we shrink back. Instead of shrinking back, let's counter that attack by leaning in and shifting forward. If we refuse to lean in, to step forward, we may miss out on the beautiful rewards and success that come on the other side of leaning.
In essence, by leaning in, we are giving God's Word - His truth over our lives and situations - more weight than the fear. I have heard it said that "what we feed grows, and what we starve dies". I'm not sure who penned the phrase or who said it first, but I quote it often! The more we lean in, even when fear is knocking, the more our faith is growing, and the more we are starving out fear in our lives.
The most powerful part of this whole thought of leaning in, is the WHO on the side of the lean.
Part of the definition of the word "lean" includes "to rest against or on someone or something for support; to depend or rely on". One thing for sure, proven time and time again, is that God is the strong tower that we can totally lean and depend on.
I trust Him.
No matter what comes my way, I will choose to continue trust in Him.
I choose to LEAN IN.
2015 - The Year to LEAN IN.
