My Act of Faith: Launching a Podcast

Hey Hey,

Have you ever felt that God was calling you to do something, but it took you a while to be obedient? My most recent project has been in the works for several years. God actually laid it on my heart when I was doing the Armor of God Bible study by Priscilla Shirer with some friends. One of the questions at the end of the section we were reading asked, "What do you feel like God is calling you to do right now?" I didn't know, so I prayed about it, and when I did, I heard that whisper to start a podcast.

If you know me, then you probably know that a podcast is the last thing I would want to do. For one, I actually don't like my voice. I grew up in the South, and the southern twang in my voice has kind of annoys me. I don't like listening to my own voice at all. I would much rather be behind the screen writing words. Second, I am an introvert, and it can be hard for me to reach out to people I don't know. I like staying in my cozy little corner and being comfortable.

I'm really finding that God doesn't like us to be too comfortable, because it is in that comfort zone that we become stagnant. We aren't growing. Starting a podcast was waaaayy outside of my comfort zone. So I prayed and asked God what the podcast would be about, and it was this: people sharing stories about how they have stepped out in faith to do what God has called them to do.

After hearing this and writing it down in our book, I really battled with whether to share it. Sharing would mean recognizing that the words were from God and would hold me accountable for pursuing them. When my group was sharing and they asked me, I hesitated -- but ultimately shared. They, of course, were super supportive of the idea and were all in the first season of the podcast.

So I dove right in, started researching, and tried to figure out how to do the podcast thing. I even bought the equipment. I was determined to do what God asked. I was going to be brave. Even though I did have some doubts about my abilities, I felt God affirming this podcast through conversations with people, conferences, and church services. BUT...

There were some setbacks. Timing with my planned co-host just wasn't working out. The doubts really started to creep in, and I let the timing with my co-host serve as an excuse to keep me from actively pursuing these plans.

All the while, I could still hear God telling me to make the podcast.

Finally, after a couple of years of my equipment collecting dust, I started piecing the podcast together. God gave me my wonderful co-host's name, and the Acts of Faith Podcast began.

We started recording last fall. Starting something new is scary and hard. Tech is not my area of expertise, so figuring out how to record and edit was challenging. The process ended up taking a lot more time than I ever thought it would. We had to navigate technological challenges. Sometimes our programs wouldn't work, and we would end up recording on our phones so the guest wouldn't have to come back. Scheduling guests for times that worked for both their schedules and ours got complicated at times. We battled doubts because we didn't always know what we were doing. There were times we didn't even know who our guests would be.

But...God showed up. He provided guests and helped us navigate the other podcasting details. Sometimes we would pray for a guest, and that same day we would get a text from someone who said yes. Sometimes our edits would get lost, and then they would show up again. God always made it possible for us to record.

It has been hard, and oh so rewarding. The way God shows up in people's stories is such a reminder of His character.

He is sovereign.

He is our protector.

He is our provider.

He is our healer.

He is our comforter.

He is our peace.

God is good!

It's interesting because the stories I thought would be told weren't necessarily the ones shared. One thing we wanted to do with the podcast was make sure that we didn't tell people what to talk about. We wanted the Holy Spirit to lead people.

I found that the stories being told were giant acts of faith, but really were people acting in faith in their daily lives. I think we need to be encouraged by the big acts of faith God is calling us to, but also by the day-to-day acts of faith when we are in the valley and need to trust God.

Being part of these guests getting the opportunity to share their faith and how God showed up for them has been such an honor. This podcast has grown my faith so much by showing me God's love for His people. It has given me the strength and courage to keep going.

I want to encourage you to step out in faith and do what God is calling you to do. It may seem weird and ridiculous, but God has a purpose for you and the action He is asking you to take. I would love to hear about what your act of faith will be.

We have some great guests in our first season, and we will have season 2 in the fall, and I can't wait. We hope you will listen.

You can click the Acts of Faith graphic above to listen.

Shannon and Stephanie