I’m not normally someone that lives out of fear. You can ask my friends and family, I tend to be the one that pushes the limits and am always willing to try something new and different. However, lately I’ve been working through a lot of fear and doubt – self-esteem, taking risks, new opportunities, just to name a few. One of the bigger struggles for me is fundraising. Why is fundraising so paralyzing?
The main reason why it is so daunting to me is because it makes me question the way people view me…
Why is she asking for money?
Can she not make her own?
Who does she think she is?
Why is she so needy?
While I am sure there are people out there that think this, I’ve found that the majority of people are quite excited to join and partner with me. Fundraising has always been this big obstacle that I’ve had to reluctantly hurl myself over but I’m choosing to look at it differently.
One of my favourite passages of scripture right now is John 6:1-15. This passage is where Jesus feeds the 5,000. The reason why it is my favourite is not because of the amazing miracle Jesus performs but actually the crowd’s reaction.
John 6:9-10
“ ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.”
The crowd sat down without proof of there being enough food.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have a hard time trusting the Lord when I can’t see what He is doing. But, what I’ve learned from these five words is to prepare for abundance when it only seems like there is lack.
The Lord promises abundance in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
All of those fears that I have about myself and whether or not I am worth supporting and following, all the doubt about whether my words have power and weight are completely false. They are the enemy trying to derail me, but the Lord said that He specifically came so that I, that we, can have abundant living.
I want to leave you with some advice a friend gave me, but I add my own ending… “go forth and conquer your life” because you are worth it.
Where do I donate?