Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone

When I was a young girl I was so shy and quiet, I prayed that the teacher wouldn’t call on me. I disliked having to speak in front of others and was so insecure that at times I had difficulties articulating myself. But as the years pass by and my love of Jesus grows, He is teaching me that He doesn’t always call the equipped, but he will equip the called! If you can identify with what I just shared, I want to encourage you by sharing what He is doing in my life.

In our church, the pastor encourages us to step up to the pulpit. The Lord has been impressing on my heart to share my faith and in the times we live, I find that there are so many people who are wondering what is going on in the world. I have been praying for the Holy Spirit to direct me. I sincerely want to be the Lord’s humble obedient servant. Jesus came to serve, not be served so it is vital to have the heart of a servant.

I have felt lead to extend the hands of fellowship with my Baptist friends at Faith Baptist Church in Ixonia, Wisconsin. They recently loss their pastor and I was surprised when they asked me if I would speak at their church. I was just as surprised when they asked me a second time. But nothing surprised me more than when they asked if I would speak at their Women’s Retreat! Me! I thought, “Are you kidding?” Then they told me the theme was “It Is Well with My Soul”! I told them I would have to pray about the invitation.

I admit, I tried to brush it off on other people. But that little voice inside my head said, “You can do this! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. I will guide you!” So I said, “Lord, if You want me to do this, I will need Your help. This is Your message. You are the potter I am the clay.” Inspiration began to flow through me as I remembered the days when I attended the Medical Missionary Program at Wildwood Wellness Institute in Georgia. I had learned there about the Eight Laws of Health, natural remedies, and healing the natural way. So, on June 3-5, 2022, I presented at my first Women’s Retreat using the New Start Program. I used videos I found online and created a PowerPoint for each session. I even shared the Sabbath Message with them! The sessions I presented were: The Body, The Mind and The Soul!

I work in the education field with children with special needs. We use a lot of visual and engagement activities so I implemented those into the sessions because they help people retain more of what they learn. We had a scavenger hunt, played Spin the Wheel of Positivity and Fill your Bag – I like to be creative! My mother, Gloria Nicotera, was with me and shared her gems of wisdom. One quote she shared was, “If God made it, eat it. If man made it read it, and if you can’t read it don’t eat it!” The ladies really liked that!

I was so nervous about how they might respond. I was humbled by all the positive feedback I was given. A couple of ladies said it was the best conference they attended. All praise is to the Lord. He gave me direction every step of the way! The credit goes to Him!

Friends, when we surrender to the Lord, He can do some pretty amazing things. The ladies at the Baptist church even asked if we could share more at their churches and if they could share at ours. So, if you desire to have a servant heart, be willing to say, “Lord send me,” and He will pour out His blessing on you!

P.S. Caring is Sharing!

Renee Titze, member of the Watertown Seventh-day Adventist Church