1 Timothy 1:19 - Intimacy, confidence & impact

1 Timothy 1:19 - "May they give you the confidence to fight well in the Lord's battles."
Philippians 1:14 - "many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ. "

I think on of the most impacting messages of Frontline Retreat for me was given by Rob Beech's wife (I know, I really should know her name). Throughout retreat, from even before the first meeting there were two things God was doing in my heart. I started to desire to:

• strip away the clouds that stopped me from being intimate with God
• rise up in leadership and become an agent of change and impact

It was this particular message that for me really tied things together. I walked away from retreat on fire, passionate for the things of God, ready to take any leadership opportunity by the throat (or other delicate parts of the human anatomy), and in general desperate to plug into God and change the world.

What was the connection? That intimacy leads to confidence, and confidence leads to influence. Sure, intimacy also leads to influence, but in reflecting this morning on how I've been changed as a result of the retreat, I've started to realise the huge role of confidence in our spiritual walks. So often I don't want to pray because I feel I'm not good enough for God. Even more, I don't step up into the things of God leadership-wise because I don't feel it's my right. Retreat helped me to realise that I'm a leader, and that God can cause things to happen through me. And the possibility of being an agent of change in people's lives draws me to God, because I know that only in his strength can I achieve anything. There is purpose in drawing close to God - He is the source.

Other changes from retreat: I'm focusing on God and his Kingdom a lot more. I feel capable. I feel more loving towards people. There's a sense of purpose and energy in my week.

God, I don't want to loose that feeling and perspective.