A Call to be Courageous

Maybe you associate the word #Courageous with another. Heroes.  

Firemen, Police officers, Soldiers ...

People that put their lives on the line or fight for others on a regular basis. 

For freedom.        For justice.

Or maybe its the comic book hero that comes to mind, if you're a little nerdy like me. 

Capes, masks, and supernatural strength.

The song from Casting Crowns automatically comes to mind, doesn't it?!

If we turn to the bible, we will find unlikely heroes. Not the ones that were on felt boards as children in Sunday School. But men and women who were sinners, like you and me.

“Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossip, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sara was impatient, Elijah was moody, Moses stuttered, Abraham was old,… and Lazarus was dead. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the CALLED!”

We have this misconception that the bible is full of fairy-tale, nice stories that don't resemble our lives at all. 

Ummm... Take a closer look. The bible is full of stories of some messed up people who do some pretty crazy things.

The thing is, God used each and every one of them. And not because they were super special. But because God IS.

When David was a boy and stood to face Goliath the giant, no other man had found the courage to do so. But let me tell you, David didn't do it because he thought he had supernatural strength.

He faced Goliath because he knew God had the strength to accomplish it through him.

We don't have to be perfect or have our lives all together before we face our giants, whether they be addictions to food, drugs, sex, or whether they be the idols we place before God. Money, pride, status.

Being #Courageous means letting go and letting God. He is big enough.

Taking the first step may be the biggest challenge. Reach out to the God who is mighty to save.

He is waiting!  

Maybe you did. Maybe you turned something over to God, like a weight issue or cigarettes, but then you took some of the control back. You feel like you have failed.  

Look back at those bible characters. Many failed over and over. Jonah even ran away from God to hide. You cannot out-fail God. He has everlasting mercy. Just pick it back up, but do not quit! Fight the good fight!

Continuing to face these giants in the world may mean that you stop trying to do it alone. It may just require a community of believers to help you and hold you accountable.  

Carry on and phone a friend. Be a part of the church who can help you fight the good fight.

But whatever you do, be BOLD in your determination, setting your goals, and believing that God can and will use you. 

Mostly, believe in the One who has the strength to help you accomplish it.


"We were made to be courageous.... We were made for so much more."