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On Faith
The Rev. Dave Chun
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God calls all people to slay giants of fear
I believe that every man, woman and child on Earth is an amazing creation. I believe you are an amazing creation. Yes, you are created by God to do something special.
Unfortunately, too many people are falling short of their dreams and their divine-potential. Perhaps you sense that life should be more than simply existing: waking up, going to work or school, coming home, eating, sleeping and then doing the same thing all over again, and again and again until you die. But when you attempt to reach for the stars, to realize your dreams, too often you're stopped short by the giants of fear, disappointment, laziness, pride and more. Sadly, millions of people are going to the grave having let these giants win. I pray you will not be one of them.
Maybe you feel hemmed in by the critics and naysayers -- one of whom might be yourself. As a pastor, I find that the biggest obstacle stopping any individual or organization from reaching its goals is not any physical barrier such as a lack of raw materials or money. Rather, the single biggest obstacle that stops us is located right between our ears: It's our mind. The mind's defeatist mentality, deep-seated fears and mistaken beliefs present the largest stumbling blocks between you and your destiny.
For example, there might be a giant in you called fear that incapacitates you from speaking up for what's right, from claiming God's promises and from going against the crowd, even when the crowd's badly mistaken. That's why University of Georgia head football coach Mark Richt made a cameo appearance in the 2006 movie "Facing the Giants" to say, "In God's Word, he said 365 different times, 'Do not fear.' If (God) says it that many times, you know he's serious about it."
God IS serious about you overcoming your fears. Why? Because he knows that if you face your giants and win, then you'll also win at all of life. You will fulfill your God-given dreams.
Can you do it? Yes. And we'd love to help you. In fact, one big reason God created the church is to empower people just like you to fulfill that God-given calling he's placed within you.
I want to encourage you today to take just one step of faith and come to God with an open heart and a listening ear. He will speak to you as he has spoken to so many before you. And his voice is calling out to you. As it says in Matthew's Gospel, "With God, all things are possible."
So I invite you personally to come along for a journey -- a journey to slay giants, a journey to overcome long-held obstacles and a journey of faith. A journey to fulfill your divine destiny. For with God, all things are possible.
The Rev. Dave Chun is assistant pastor at the First Chinese Church of Christ and pastor of New Life Fellowship, a new contemporary worship service. "Facing the Giants in Life" is the theme of the 9 a.m. Sunday services during July, using excerpts from the movie to glean life lessons and overcome obstacles.