At the beginning of this year I asked God what He would teach me. It seems that every year there is one word/phrase/theme that follows me through it all, and I wondered what this year’s word would be. It was on that day that “brave” came to mind and it has stuck with me every since. I found it strange that "brave" was the word because it was just last year that I blogged about how I wasn't brave, but He hasn't called me to bravery but to obedience. I remember that time clearly: I was getting ready to leave for Africa and I was pretty scared. In those moments He reassured me that obedience is enough: He isn’t asking me to be a fearless warrior just yet. He will provide the peace; I only need to take the first step. I still believe it’s true that no matter how afraid or uncomfortable the road ahead is we should not wait until all fear dissipates or we feel totally prepared, because realistically that could take forever. We just need to say yes; we just need to be obedient to what He has set before us. But now in 2018 I believe He is calling me out one step farther, to not only be obedient but also to be brave because His Word and His promises are true and I can be brave and confident in the midst of the storms and the unknown.
He makes me brave through every change and every chapter There are definitely some things that frighten me as I look at the year ahead of me. In just a few weeks my sister is getting married and moving away, and then a month later my best friend is also getting married and moving away. Despite the joy I feel for them and all of my other friends who are getting married and starting a new chapter, I feel grief for this season of life that is coming to a close and the relationships that are changing. I also feel fear as I look to next September. I am thankful that I was accepted into Social Work but I know this program and career will require a lot from me and sometimes I wonder how I will handle it all. These are just 2 examples and it’s only April…there’s still time for more things to come up :) Yet through it all, “brave” keeps being whispered over me. He makes me brave through every change and every chapter, and I can approach the unknown with confidence because of Him. And you know what? The more I let go and just say yes, the more I can breathe. I am so free in Christ and even the scariest roads have blessed me beyond belief! Every path He has led me down has only made me richer in Him. Looking back I see how faithful He has been and my confidence grows; I know that He is making me braver by the day. I’m not sure what this year looks like for you, but I pray that you can be brave through it all. I pray that you can look to God for your comfort and that your confidence will come from the fact that He has walked your road before you. I pray that your fear doesn’t paralyze you but that it wakes you up and that for the first time in a long time you can experience the abundant life He offers so freely. I pray that you will pray prayers that frighten you and dream dreams that challenge you and let God do radical things through you. I pray that this year you will be brave.
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