In the past, I've had moments when I have given into fear. Quite often, it has stopped me from taking risks, loving people and doing what the Spirit was leading me to do; but then I realized that I didn't want to get to the end of my race, look back and think, "yes, I always played it safe...that was a great to live in comfort and mediocrity." I want to live a life of pure abandonment for Him and be a woman that always steps out in faith on this adventure that God has for me. At the end of my race, I want to look back on it all and just be dazzled with where the Lord led me. I'm sure I'll doubt sometimes and even question what He calls me to do; but at the end of it all, I will be able to look back on this adventure with Him and be able to say, that in every step, every doubt, every adventure, every promise, every word...He was there with me always and continually drawing me to Himself.
Over the last 2 months, I've been on a new adventure with Jesus and it's one that has radically changed my life and truly blown my mind of the Lords' faithfulness. I'll tell the entire story later but in a nutshell, the Lord has led me to the most beautiful body of Christ to do life with. This type of community is what I have longed to be a part of for so long. I almost missed it because fear crept in quickly when something didn't go the way I thought it should, but praise Jesus that He made me brave, As a result, I now get to do life with the most beautiful body of believers that I've ever been a part of. In the place I am now, there is a new part of my heart that has been awakened and it has brought me to a place of such humbleness and courage.
I've been praying for the Lord to show me the woman of God that he has called me to be. Over the last 7 years of this journey with Him, He has been so faithful to bring forth His identity in me; but the beautiful thing about Him is that He never ends...there is always more to become IN Him.
I want to be a woman that takes risks. Who pursues people that are out of my comfort zone because I want to love them like Jesus loves them. I want to be a woman of courage, who asks the hard questions. I want to be in prayer constantly to see people and situations like Jesus sees them. I want to step out; to not just take a leap of faith but to have faith in the Mighty One who is always with me. I want to invite people into my life like Jesus dud. And I want to do whatever He calls me to do and not let fear ever stop me. Let us be people who are known for being brave. Not ones who are secret about our love for Christ. Lets throw off fear and timidity and let us adorn ourselves with bravery.
St. Catherine of Siena said it beautifully, "Start being brave in everything. Drive our darkness and spread light. Don't look at your weakness. Realize instead that in Christ crucified, you can do anything".
Everyday I come face to face with the truth of something that I have yet to learn, but as believers we always have the opportunity to somehow choose JOY through it all. It takes effort & being intentional for me to approach someone and begin a conversation with them, but knowing others might find HIM through my vulnerability makes it all worth it. The best example of what being brave looks like is Jesus himself. As I've been reading the bible since this new found idea of bravery, I've come to see & know Jesus differently that I ever have before. He was turned on, rejected, literally sold for money & ultimately alone at the end; but He was the most brave of all. He fasted from Heaven for 33 years & left His perfect home for an uncomfortable place. He traded all of that to win your heart [and mine]. He said things that people were afraid to say, did things that people were afraid to do and was the exact person that we need Him to be on our behalf. He perform miracles but not to seek face. He spent time with people that his disciples ignored before they knew Him. Constantly, He was slipping away to spend time in the secret place with His Father. And ultimately, He died so that we could live. That's brave.
Jesus was brave with His life so that we could be confident in being brave with our life too. So GO, be brave today. Him & all of Heaven are cheering you on.
Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong & courageous. Do not be frightened & do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." I realize that being brave isn't as easy as just saying it. But be encouraged, look to Him...instead of your fear, or situation, or your ability/inability. He is mighty and able. He holds you and he has your heart. He is your shield and in Him, you are free. You are cared for. You are loved. And fully accepted.
Below is the picture that I saw on my facebook feed right after fear had crept in and I was about to leave the very place the Lord was leading me to, but Hallelujah; He is faithful and will make it happen, for He who calls you is faithful. Be encouraged and BE BRAVE.
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