Called to be Courageous

Years ago (we don't need to go into how many), I was reading in Joshua about being strong and courageous. Now being a broken individual being strong is often a challenge in and of itself. I find I can be very strong in areas and in others I am in desperate need of help. Sometimes though in my strength I will often forget that I still need assistance, so I don't become either independent or a bully. I need Papa's (God's) hand to bring me to a place where I can use my strength with His mercy and grace. Otherwise, I can become a bull in a China shop...leaving a path of destruction in my wake.

So, I am learning in my prayers/conversations with Papa to ask for the ability to hear Him in the circumstances and situations that I am comfortable in before opening my mouth and charging ahead. I have in no way mastered this, but again, "any attempt at walking is walking". So, I forge ahead trusting in Him who fully knows and understands me.

As for being courageous, the flip side of this coin of strength and courage, this is a different challenge all together. Where does courage come from? how do we activate it? Do I really need it?

As a human being struggling to find courage deep within myself, some days it takes all I have to just get out of my bed, let alone face what awaits me that day.

As a follower of Jesus, I discover my courage doesn't come from me at all. It comes out of my relationship with Him. The more I discover Papa and learn of Him, His ways, His voice, His hand leading me, I discover how merciful, gracious, loving and powerful He is. As His child I have full and free access to all of Him, particularly, His power in these circumstances when I am called to be courageous.

I discover that He has become my courage. It is His Spirit with in me that moves me to be and perform acts of great courage.

Please don't misunderstand me here. I am not saying only huge impossible tasks are courageous. The simple act of choosing to trust God in a small micro cosmic way is an act of great courage. It is in the small ways of choosing to listen to His voice tell us to call that friend he has placed on our heart and mind. It is in the responding to when that person who has asked me to pray for them and I do so right then and there. It is these small acts of obedience and trust that courage is born. It is the seeing, experiencing and hearing how God responds and acts that we develop the courage we need to face the bigger, scarier and more intimidating events and circumstances that cross our paths.

Once we begin to grasp hold of the enormous God (Papa) we serve is that we find ourselves running to face the challenges, obstacles, fears, and insecurities that come into our lives, often on a daily basis.

These is a newer song that I recently heard titled "Things that I'm afraid of" by Josh Wilson. I would encourage you to listen to it. The final few lines of the chorus had me fist pumping in my car as I was driving in my small town. "My fears would surely kill me If I didn't know the truth. The things that I'm afraid of are afraid of You!"

Thats the key. I couldn't find any better words. He as discovered the key to the command, be strong and courageous.

It is knowing the one who we love, serve and call Papa. The creator and sustainer of the universe stands behind me. He has my back. All the things that scare me and often make me so afraid to even move or get out of bed are afraid of Him who stands behind me and backs me up.

Now that's a reason to celebrate.

Invite God into your day. Have a conscious active living relationship with your creator and be strong and courageous in and with His mighty power.

Joshua 1:9 ...Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.