“You’re so brave!” she said. The thought had never occurred to me that what I was doing was brave. I was just taking the next step on my journey with God. He had opened a door that I knew was mine to walk through. Brave? Was it really?
I had worked for several years to acquire my ministry license. Hours of classes and tests. A qualifying exam. An interview before a committee of respected ministers in my fellowship. Waiting while their recommendation was sent to the national office. Every step along the way was simply moving forward in the direction that I knew God was calling me. I had no idea how it was all going to turn out. I just knew that each new opportunity or challenge required another YES. This new venture was just one more “yes.”
I had been in my current position, a public middle school library aide, for nine years. I loved working in the school library. I had come to love the students and the staff. It was June and another school year was coming to a close. I had already submitted my paperwork to confirm another year of employment. I had no visions of a life change. Then my pastor called me in for an appointment and offered me a full-time position as a pastor with additional responsibilities at the Christian school provided by our church. I was overwhelmed and surprised by the offer, but I also knew that there was no doubt that this was the way God was leading me. I had prayed for months since receiving my ministry license, asking God to show me where I should serve at my church. This was the answer to my prayers. Saying YES was never a question.
When my school friend, a career teacher for nearly thirty years, labeled my decision “brave” it gave me new perspective on all these YES choices. What I had come to view as mere obedience to the God I love appeared as brave to the world around me. It wasn’t predictable. There was risk involved. I had to step out of my comfort zone into an unknown realm. In many ways, saying YES to this new position was like diving off a cliff into unfamiliar waters. I really didn’t know if it was safe or what would happen when I broke the surface. What was underneath the azure, sparkling, churning waves? Jagged rocks? Sharp-toothed sharks? Overwhelming colorful beauty? I wouldn’t know until I pushed off, plummeted through the air and made the splash.
Was it brave? I guess so, but it wasn’t a bravery that I worked up or chose. It was a by-product of my journey with God. I wasn’t brave because I had chosen to be brave. I was brave because I had chosen to be His. He filled me with the power to make the choice that others considered brave. He gets the credit, but because of Him, I can see that I am brave.
And you are, too, dear friend. As you look back on your life, you will see the choices you have made in a different light when you recognize that He has made you brave. You didn’t realize that is part your new identity in Christ, did you? Neither did I. Saying YES to God has made us brave. Wow!
There are more cliffs ahead. The view from the edge is awesome. The plunge is terrifying, but the splash...so satisfying. Just keep saying YES.
Key thought: Brravery is a by-product of obedience.
A Scripture to consider: God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. Psalms 18:32 NLT
A YES challenge: Take some time to prayerfully reflect on choices you have made since you first gave God your YES. Allow Him to show you where he has made you brave. Let this new perspective on your identity in Christ sink in and give you courage for the next YES.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the changes you have made in me. You really have made me brave, not because bravery was my goal, but because You are my goal. Help me to keep You and Your glory in my viewfinder. If that makes me brave, then so be it. Amen.