Will it be easy? No! Will it be comfortable? Hardly. Will the water feel terrifyingly deep when you finally step off the shore? Every single time.
But let me ask you this, sister: is the safety of the reef worth the death of your destiny?
We’ve all felt it: that pull toward something "more." That quiet, persistent whisper in the deep of our spirits that tells us where we are isn't where we're supposed to end up. In the tenth installment of our Disney Princesses vs. Women of the Bible series, we are diving deep into the waves with two women who were defined by the water.
One is a daughter of an island chief who looked at the horizon and saw a calling. The other is a daughter of the Most High who watched over a basket in the Nile and later led an entire nation in a victory song on the banks of the Red Sea.
Moana and Miriam.
Both were called to the water. Both were stewards of a vision that was bigger than their own comfort. And both teach us that when God calls you across the waters, your only job is to pick up the oar and trust.
Fact #1: Your Calling is Often Hidden in Your History
Moana didn't just wake up one day and decide she liked the ocean. It was in her blood. Her ancestors were voyagers, but that history had been buried by fear. She had to rediscover who she was to know where she was going.
Miriam’s story also begins at the water’s edge. As a young girl, she stood in the reeds of the Nile, watching over her baby brother, Moses. She wasn't just a sister; she was a protector of the promise. She was the one who spoke up to Pharaoh’s daughter, ensuring that the future deliverer of Israel was nursed by his own mother.
"And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him."
: Exodus 2:4 (KJV)
Spiritual Truth: Your "standing afar off" moments: the seasons where you are simply watching, waiting, and protecting what God has placed in your care: are training grounds for your future leadership. Whether you are using a bible study planner to track your growth or a prayer journal to record his promises, do not despise the days of small beginnings. The enemy wants you to think your current position is a dead end. God says it’s a staging ground.
Fact #2: Leadership is Stewardship of the Vision
Moana’s father wanted her to stay on the island because it was "safe." But Moana realized that the island was dying because the people had stopped voyaging. Leadership meant seeing a problem and being willing to go "beyond the reef" to find the solution.
Miriam’s leadership wasn't about her own fame; it was about the survival and spiritual health of her people. By the time we see her in Exodus 15, she is recognized as a prophetess. She didn't just walk through the Red Sea; she led the women in a liturgy of praise on the other side.
Truth vs. Lie
- The Lie: "I am just one person; my obedience doesn't impact anyone else."
- The Truth: "I am a key part of the plan. My 'yes' to God is the catalyst for my family’s, my community’s, and my generation’s breakthrough."
When you use your christian planner to map out your goals, you aren't just "getting organized." You are practicing stewardship. You are telling the Father, "I trust the vision You gave me, and I am going to manage my time and resources to see it come to life."
Fact #3: The Song is Your Weapon
One of the most powerful moments in Moana is when she finally reaches Te Fiti. She doesn't fight the "monster"; she sings to the heart of who Te Fiti truly is. She restores her identity through a song of remembrance.
Miriam did the exact same thing. After the Egyptian army was swallowed by the sea, she didn't just breathe a sigh of relief. She grabbed her tambourine.
"Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea."
: Exodus 15:20-21 (KJV)
Spiritual Truth: Worship is spiritual warfare. When the enemy tries to tell you that you’re lost at sea, you pick up your tambourine: or your faith journal: and you record the victories of God. You remind your soul who He is.
How to Battle: Crossing Your Own Red Sea
Are you standing at the edge of a "water" you’re afraid to cross? Maybe it’s a new business, a difficult conversation, or a deep spiritual calling that feels overwhelming. Here is how you battle the fear of the reef:
- Identify the Anchor: What is keeping you tied to the shore? Is it fear of failure? Fear of what people will say? Write it down in the "Notes" section of your christian planner. Seeing it on paper strips it of its power.
- Consult the North Star: Moana used the stars to navigate. We use the Word. Spend 15 minutes today in your bible study planner looking up verses on "courage" and "calling."
- Prepare the Vessel: You can’t sail a leaky boat. Stewardship means preparing your mind and spirit. Use faith-based affirmation cards to reset your mindset every morning.
- Listen to the Spirit: Moana had the ocean as her guide. We have the Holy Spirit. He is the wind in our sails. If He is pushing you toward the horizon, go.
The Grace-Led Life: Moving Toward Your Promised Destination
Sister, you were not created to stay in the shallows. Like Moana, you have a voyaging heart. Like Miriam, you have a prophetic song. Both women understood that the water wasn't there to drown them; it was there to carry them to their God-given purpose.
Stop waiting for the water to disappear. It didn't disappear for Miriam until she and the Israelites started walking. It didn't calm for Moana until she stood her ground.
Grab your prayer journal, write down your "water-walking" goals for this month, and watch how the Father parts the sea before you. You are a masterpiece, a winner, and a key part of the Plan.
It’s time to leave the shore. I’ll see you on the other side.
Stay anchored in Grace,
Charlet Billings
Categories: Faith & Bible Study, Plan and Prosper
