Today I have the honor of sharing with you a very special friend, Nikki. While I have never met her in person, I feel as if I know her. She is full of encouragement and great words to inspire you always. Recently she had the honor of speaking to a group of women. This was out of her comfort zone, but she stepped over that fear. And I’m so excited to share a glimpse of what her mastering her fear has sparked. Oh do enjoy friends. You can find Nikki at Simply Striving.
1. Nikki, tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m just an average girl from the Midwest who is in love…In love with my husband of 14 years, the children God has blessed us with, and the scandalous love affair my Savior has welcomed me into. I’m striving to keep my eyes wide so I don’t miss a single thing.
2. We are talking about Moses as we journey through Graffiti Summer. In the Study and Do we’re learning that Moses was called to serve the people his heart was broken and passionate for. Can you describe this in your own life?
This study hits close to home for me as I find myself relating to Moses more than I ever imagined. I’ve always considered myself a compassionate person, but rarely do I transform that passion into action. It has taken a lot of prayer and refinement to fuel that compassion into action. You see, I’m really good at coming up with the “buts”. Just like Moses.
3. You know here at Positively Alene we speak of stepping over our fears here a lot. Can you tell us about a time when you stepped over fear to serve others?
This space here is a big reason why I felt the needed to at least try to step over my fears!
I am the epitome of introverts. Being in the spotlight is something I try to avoid at all costs. So, when I started feeling this burning desire to share what was weighing heavy on my heart with a specific group of women, I knew it had to have come from Him. Crazy how easily the doors opened for me to do just that. What was even more bizarre was how they responded to my meager call.
4. What fears were holding you back? Was it hard to step over them?
Besides the obvious fear of being in a spotlight? I’ve proven before I’m not a great speaker. My voice shakes and softens. My hands and knees follow suit. And I couldn’t understand why God wouldn’t want to use my strengths to deliver this message. Why couldn’t I write it and share it with a larger audience? Why did I have to put myself so far outside my comfort zone that I was certain it wouldn’t hold any ground? Why did it require vulnerability when everything within me felt it should be proclaimed like the loud battle cry it deserved.
Was it hard? Oh my, yes. At first. Was it worth it? A thousand times over.
5. Can you share a little bit about your message with us?
I’ve always felt the desire to serve. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m a descendant of Mary and Martha. Both knew how to serve well. It took me years to realize how Mary took serving to the next level.
Mary showed me how serving isn’t always about doing, it’s about seeing.
Here I am, in a city ripe with opportunities. I have neighbors in need. New faces creeping in my church doors, seeking for truth. And I hadn’t taken the time to stop doing and truly see them. Right where they were at.
It seemed I needed to get over myself and my own busy tasks so I could do real work. So I could see needs right in front of me. Maybe He wanted me to just sit at other’s feet…
I invited those 50+ women to do the same. I showed pictures of people I could prove each one had crossed paths with before. The photos showed captions of what their immediate needs were. Needs they shared openly with me simply by asking. Each one broke the women’s hearts, and yet not one realized they had been in their presence. That they had seen them without truly seeing them.
I challenged us as His body to make ourselves available so He can do a good work through us. To bend, promising we wouldn’t break. To reach and stretch, promising we would grow. To wash feet…promising we’d feel more clean.
6. As you challenged others to “get over themselves and meet the needs of others” what was the reaction?
First, it was shock. Out of all of us, how could we have missed these faces? These hurts? These opportunities to show what His love is capable of?
Alene, I’ve now seen these women reaching. Bending. Offering themselves for His glory. And it’s a beautiful thing.
7. If you could share an encouraging word with someone who was struggling to step over fear to serve another, what would it be?
Fear is no friend of God’s. It doesn’t belong in a heart Jesus has won over. It’s merely a distraction that can consume if we let it grab hold. But if we can find a way to lay ourself down and allow Him to work through us and realize –it’s not us, it’s Him that does the good work — we’ll witness firsthand how far God can use us for His glory.
Friends, what you offer may seem small, but we all know what He can do with small. All Moses had was a stick. And look how many thousands He can feed when we give our all. Even when it feels like it’s only a few items from the dollar menu…
A part of me believes there’s a superhero within each of us. Because He is a part of us. And when we manage to get away from the kryptonite we know as fear, and wear His power like the cape it is, there’s no telling how high or far or how deep He will take us.
Friends, it’s not about us. It’s always about Him. Fear doesn’t even fit into that equation.
And I know with every fiber of my being…if I can do it…oh what God can do through you.
Leave Nikki some comment love and do tell of a time you over looked a need that was oh so close to you.
How can we be more mindful of others needs?
YAY — Nikki is here! Wow, Nikki, I had no idea the Lord called you to such a task. I can see why you’d be fearful, but you inspire me with your courage and faith. And this line:
it’s not about us. It’s always about Him. Fear doesn’t even fit into that equation.
TRUTH. Love you girls :)
Thank you dear Susan! I still can’t believe I’m standing upright after doing that–you should have seen how nervous I was ;) Oh but He took over…and showed me how Moses managed to do what he did…what He is capable of. {HUGS}
Hooray, Nikki! I remember talking to you about it before it happened and praying so it is great to read how God used you as you obeyed Him despite your fears…and now these other women are blessing others because you obeyed God…awesome :)
You backing me up in this made all the difference, Dolly! Thank you, friend, for lifting me up that day. truly. {HUGS} Praying for you, too, friend….for all God has in mind for you.
Hello, Nikki! Wonderful to meet you and thank you for sharing with us as we journey along with Alene in this study. Your story of stepping over your own fears and trusting Him inspire and encourage me to keep on moving forward in obedience as He calls. Loved this…”A part of me believes there’s a superhero within each of us. Because He is a part of us. And when we manage to get away from the kryptonite we know as fear, and wear His power like the cape it is, there’s no telling how high or far or how deep He will take us.”
Thank you so much for your words today.
Blessings, Beth
Beth, I am THRILLED to meet you! Thank you for reading my heart so well…you’re absolutely right. It all boils down to obedience to His call..doesn’t it. We can do this…after all, He’s already equipped us…
All for Him with hugs to you,
Nikki
So proud of you, Nikki! You=radiating!
How you bless, Mandy. Thank you, friend! <3
Praising God for this message today Nikki! Hugs! Keep Shining friend!
Thank you, Heather! {HUGS} (loved chatting with you on Friday–even for a short bit):)
WOW !! Such an inspiration and encouragement. Learning to step over our own fears and serve other is a hard lesson to grab hold of. Thank you for sharing not only the struggle but also that blessing you received when we do follow our calling in spite of the fear.