Do It Afraid – Guest Post

Maegan Hawley is a dear friend. We lived on the same floor in college and lived in DC together She has taken some really scary and exciting risks, and I asked if I could share something she wrote right after she made that jump! She started Ethic Goods and is changing the world, one beautiful thing at a time. Ethic is committed to designing and purchasing beautiful items that create jobs among women who need them. By partnering with organizations already doing amazing work in their communities, together we can introduce these gifted artisans into the global marketplace and provide sustainable, dignified work.

She should be on the top of your lists of coolest people to meet. She has generously allowed us to do a giveaway with one of the artisan items! See below for all the details!

For more information check out their site at ethicgoods.com

“Do it afraid.”

That’s what my friend, Lora said when I told her, earlier this year, that I was stepping down from my full-time position at our church (NCC) to focus on Ethic (a company committed to designing and purchasing artisan accessories and jewelry that create jobs among women who need them). Lora’s words have been my motto ever since.

Ethic didn’t come with instructions. But you know, while it would be nice to replace the “unknowns” with a well-carved path, I think it would short-circuit the process. The process is where the adventure is, where courage is required, and where we get to become that person God had in mind when He created us. How we handle fear is crucial to our growth. Here are some of my fears in this new season:

Classic FOMO (Fear of missing out)- I’m missing out on life with NCC staff.

FOF (Fear of failure)- What if Ethic flops?

FOD (Fear of loss of direction)- How in the world do I do this?

FOL (Fear of loneliness)- I can’t connect with others until I have something to show.

FOJ (Fear of Judgment)- What are other people saying about me and the business?

I’ve been thinking about Israel’s journey to the Promised Land. Israel didn’t posses the land the first time because of fear and unbelief, implying they didn’t think God could actually bring them in (Num. 13-14). Really?Not two years prior, these same people walked through the middle of the Red Sea. They drank water that came from a rock. The cloud and fire were always with them, and they ate manna every day…that tasted like cake (Num. 11:8). CAKE!!

The Israelites knew the power of God. I think they questioned, “Will God continue to work through us?”

Isn’t that the biggie behind our fears, too?

Do we know what scripture gives us authority for? We are “in Christ.” That means all the promises and inheritance of Christ are ours. Every single one of them! Christ did not shed his blood so we could stumble around in fear and self-doubt, never living in freedom and shying away from the assignments He gives us. Self-image is the mental picture you have of yourself. Identity is, in fact, who you are.

Bravery is doing things how God would do them, regardless of how they turn out. For me, that means combatting fear with truth daily, prioritizing obedience and trusting the Lord with results. Plus, embracing a willingness to be vulnerable in front of other people… even when it is scary. The second we start to ask, “Did God really call me…? Did God really promise…? Am I really the one to do this?” YES HE DID AND YES YOU ARE. That is how we enter into battle.

#DoItAfraid

#EatCakeForBreakfast

ETHIC GIVEAWAY & PROMO CODE
Who doesn’t love a good giveaway and a new necklace? We are giving away the ombre arrow necklace that was crafted by sweet ladies in Ethiopia with repurposed bullet casings! (See photo below)

In addition to the giveaway, we have an exclusive promo code for our District of Joy readers! Use DISTRICTOFJOY to get 20% off your purchase! And there is $1 shipping! You can’t beat that!

****THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*****

[Photos taken from Ethic’s website]