How It All Began: Pt 2
In my last letter, I wrote these words. "Because what the enemy doesn't want us to remember is we are working for the "well done" from God, not "good job" from man."
Does anyone else feel these words hit like a ton of bricks?
I still feel them! EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
If you didn't read last week's letter, now is where you stop and you read it. Once you do, you'll have caught up, and you'll understand the rest of this letter.
Fearless, that was the name of my blog, but I knew it wasn't the forever name, so when it came time to incorporate, I was frantic to pick, or find, or make up a name, but nothing, I had nothing.
So, I settled on Nichole Chavez Ministries, and to be honest; I was never comfortable with naming the ministry after me. Calling it after myself felt limiting; I want this ministry to live on past me; I want to one day pass the baton to another generation. But I also selfishly wanted it to be super cool, unique, current, edgy, and I don't even know what else, kind of name. I was looking for the "good job," "impressive," "now you've made it" from man and not the "well done" I was supposed to be living to hear.
Time ran out, and on January 3rd, 2018, we officially became an Incorporated non-profit under the name Nichole Chavez Ministries.
Why am I telling you this seemingly unimportant detail? Because when God tells us to "go," He will sometimes point us in a direction but not give us the destination – just yet.
The journey is part of the plan; it's a tool, it's a lesson, it's refining, and it's trust-building. The journey keeps us seeking. It keeps us on our knees; it keeps us connected.
IT'S WORTH IT!
I was so concerned about the name; I wanted to get it just right, I wanted it to be meaningful and inspiring, I wanted God to be proud. I wanted the approval and the pat on the back from man.
None of these things are bad, just not as important as I was making them out to be.
What I didn't know was that God was going to use the next couple of years to refine the message He was giving me to share, and with that message would come the name.
As I was writing my book, The Silenced Army, my heart would race with the message God was giving me to share with you.
I felt every word in my bones to be true and inspired.
I was about halfway finished writing the book when the name came to me like a divine message – MOBILIZED.
I clearly heard the name in my heart as if it was audibly spoken, and even though I didn't know the proper definition, I knew exactly what it meant because I had already been teaching this word. I was already using every synonym for it. So I knew this word, and it wasn't just a word; it was a message for me, you, and for this time in our world.
I kept the new name to myself for a while I tried it on for size. I LOVED IT!
I shared it with my husband, and we shared it with our Board of Directors, and the rest is history.
I almost didn't take a critical and crucial step because I couldn't come up with a name; what the heck!!! I almost didn't move forward because I was afraid people might think the ministry name I chose was stupid.
Does anyone else see the absurdity?
It was a nonexistent mountain that only existed in my mind, and even though it only existed in my mind, it had to be moved.
Have you ever given up because of a nonexistent mountain you made up in your mind?
Have you ever required God to show you the destination before you start the journey?
Have you ever stopped because you are afraid of getting it wrong?
Do you find yourself looking for the "good job" instead of the "well done"?
Does the perceived public opinion stop you from moving forward?
My friend, God gives so much grace, guidance, and patience to those of us who step out in faith without the answers or destination. He knows our struggles, fears, and hesitations, and He speaks truth to them.
You were created for this time in history; you are called to carry out the purpose assigned to you by the One who created you.
Please don't get distracted by the nonexistent mountain; MOVE IT and start the journey.
- Nichole