Thursday, April 18, 2013

Be Brave



I wanted to share a little encouragement with you this morning.

For those of you who need a little nudge. This post is for you.

Over the years I have listened to many hearts share the following words.

"I'm too afraid."

In response to any number of things in life but especially in stepping out
with starting something NEW.

Sometimes that something new has been creating something or branching out into photography or starting their own business or pursuing ministry or even planning a bible study, etc.

I want to encourage you today with the following scripture.

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ~Acts 4:13

I absolutely love the first five words of this scripture.

When they saw the courage.

Courage is only made visible when we set our faith in motion. When we act on it.

If it were easy, it wouldn't be called courage.

If we knew it was going to work out perfectly, or always work out in our favor - it wouldn't be called courage.

If we waited until everyone was cheering us on and rooting for us and supporting us- it wouldn't be called courage.

To be brave can mean a number of things, but to me, it personally means this.

Pursuing the desire of our hearts- no matter what.

With or without cheers and support.

With or without finances.

With or without approval from everyone else.

I think the less we have in a worldly sense and the less we have in the area of credentials, THE MORE COURAGE it takes to do what God has called us to do and the more we have to rely on Him as well.

I love that this scripture in Acts 4:13 says that "the men were astonished and knew that they had been with Jesus."

Why?

Because when we spend time with Him, He can make all things new. He can make us brave. He can fill in the gaps in our life. He can part the red sea in whatever area we need Him to. He can equip us, qualify us and send us out to do great work without any worldly tools and allow us the ability to accomplish great things even for His kingdom.

He can pour out His super on our natural and give us the supernatural ability to fulfill our purpose.

Many times I've listened to women share how they feel led to start something new, but they allow fear to overtake them and they allow fear to press down that desire.

I've been there many times too.

Don't you just love this scripture?

Read this part.

"And realized that they were unschooled, ORDINARY men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

Oh my word.

Don't you just love that God chooses regular people? He does. All throughout the bible, God just continued to use ordinary people.

Be brave. Have courage. Take a leap of faith. Set your faith in motion. Trust your heart....

The beautiful BRAVE art print listed above can be found through the gift that is Kelly Cummings.

You can check out her work here. 

3 comments:

Jenn Allis said...

This was beautifully written and something I didn't even realize I had been needing to hear lately.

Valerie said...

I loved this, Sibi! Thanks for sharing!!! I've been doing a pretty good job instilling courage in my own daughter (and sons!), but need my own courage in the parenting arena. It can be scary telling my daughter "no" when all the other mothers are saying yes ( to whatever is at issue). You don't want your child to feel left out, yet there are just some things my mom heart is not comfortable allowing. Vim gonna listen to the lyrics again! Blessings!!!

RachelRAdams said...

and she speaks truth again... love you friend