Episode 007: Radiant Courage
To begin, I want to ask, are you a risk taker? Why or Why not?
We enjoy playing a good board game in our house. I prefer the easy, no-thought-required type of game. Give me something fast-paced and fun, I don’t want to have to strategize like in the actual game Risk, or figure out who committed the crime, with what weapon, and in which room of the house. I do, however, enjoy a good game of Scrabble. But even Scrabble can become a bit risky.
The last game I played with my husband proved the differences in our personalities. I lay down tiles as quickly as I can, whereas he holds onto his big number tiles so he can place them in the right place to double or triple his score. My worry over whether I will be able to use the tile later always outweighs the chance I might be able to get more points if I just hold on.
I am not a risk taker by default. I enjoy control and outcomes, I like knowing if I do A and B correctly, I will end up with C. Risk-taking, in my brain, means no matter how well I do A and B, I could end up with Q or X and if you’ve ever played Scrabble, you know C is much easier manage.
I’m learning God likes to show me He can manage Q and X without difficulty. My job is to have the courage to do what He’s asking without knowing the outcome.
Living radiantly begins with the courage to take the first step.
I love what David told his son Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:20, “Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.”
We consider risk-taking as a personality trait. Courage, however, is a choice. We can choose to become courageous.
Celebrating Christmas allows me to reflect on all those involved in the birth of Jesus. As a woman and a mother, I can’t help but be drawn to Mary, and her courage and grace. Some theologians think she was as young as 14, a teenager who was asked to do something out of her comfort zone.
We read in Luke 1:31-34, that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
If an angel showed up in my room, I think I’d have a few questions also. Many times, right after I’ve prayed, “Lord, I’ll do anything you ask,” I’ll follow up with “But God please, please give me clarity.” To which I imagine He is saying, “Trust me, lean not on your understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
I believe, like with Mary, God is trying to have a moment with each of us. And God will challenge you to do something which might seem impossible.
If I allow my brain to take over, I become dependent on my knowledge. This is a problem because I can reduce God’s infinite ability to my limited capacity. Instead, I need to embrace things I don’t understand, and choose courage.
In a culture where knowledge is abundant, we may feel that we don't need anyone else, including God. However, you can’t learn complete trust until you experience things out of your control.
This happened recently in our family when we were told a mass was found requiring a biopsy. The only thing I could do was pray. We had to experience the tests and the waiting for thankfully a benign report.
Have you experienced similar moments? Moments when you have no choice but to depend on God, whatever the outcome.
Choosing courage means staying in your heart and out of your head. Learning to trust God’s plan and know He will be with you every second.
And remembering the promise, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
When we feel compelled to ask God why or how, how can we choose courage? We learn to respond like Mary,
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her (Luke 1:38).
Have you ever felt God is asking you to say yes to something? Sometimes it can be a simple moment, like sharing your story of how God has transformed your life with someone. Other times, it might be something bigger like giving, serving sacrificially, or going on a Missions trip. The amazing thing about God is He often presents us with opportunities multiple times, just waiting for us to say yes.
Saying yes was Mary’s first step of courage. But it didn’t end there. Next, she would have to face her family, her fiancé, and her community and say, “I’m pregnant”.
How often do we assume once we take the first step, everything will be perfect, and all the hardships of life will disappear?
It's like believing walking down the aisle on our wedding day would be the most challenging part of our marriage. But after 25 years, I can attest that walking together every day takes much more effort and bravery than walking towards my husband on our wedding day.
Choosing courage means your trust must be greater than your doubt.
Your confidence in God must be greater than your questions. Your comfort in His peace must be greater than your discomfort in stepping outside your box.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence the Bible contains 211 verses about trust. Risk-taker or not, the courage to trust is something each of us must choose.
I wonder how many times Mary said, “Um can I change my mind?”
In 2018 my husband and I planted The Bridge church. The decision didn’t happen overnight. I’ll never forget, after the first informational meeting we attended, I got in the truck and said, “We can’t do this. God must be crazy to believe we can do this”. Yet, He continued to open doors for us one by one, and we took each step with a deep breath, wondering more than once, “um can I change my mind, God are you sure about this?”
As we continue to look at Mary’s story, we see she leaves town to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Maybe she needed a change of scenery. Maybe people were saying bad things about her. Maybe she felt a little overwhelmed. Saying yes caused discomfort but it would lead to blessing.
When she arrived, look what Elizabeth says…
In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ...Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:42-45)
Waiting for God was Mary's second act of courage. How many times, in the waiting, would she need to learn to trust him all over again? How many times would she need to be patient?
Don’t you hate waiting? It is difficult to live radiantly when the frustrations of waiting threaten to overshadow God’s promise. But we are encouraged, Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)
Choosing courage means choosing patience.
Just because you don’t see anything happening, doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Keep praying the prayers for your family. Keep showing up and loving on those around you. Keep putting God first in your life.
You will experience and see, like Mary, God’s timing is everything.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, (Galatians 4:4)
Mary’s yes to God didn’t end with the nativity. She had to continue to choose courage, for the years ahead to raise Jesus. Every choice was one of letting go. Letting go of her body and allowing the Holy Spirit to overshadow her. Letting go of her son as He would grow and be about His father’s business. Letting go of her Savior as He gave up His life for her sins.
Living radiantly means breaking free from the limitations fear imposes on us and choosing courage.
Choosing courage shouldn’t make us reckless. You can know your courage is leading you on the right path by asking, “Do I have peace?”
Jesus, born the prince of peace, reminds us with His words,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
When you feel like it’s a risk but cannot explain the peace, choose courage, and boldly move toward God’s calling.
Can we pray for courage together today,
Father, thank you for sending Jesus, the prince of peace. As I face decisions and uncertainties, help me to recognize your voice leading me. Give me the courage to step out in faith, even when I don’t know the outcome. Lord, let your peace guide me and be a light for all those around me. When I need to have patience for your timing, help me to break free from any fear plaguing my mind. I love you God, I worship you. I choose to live courageously for you.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Let’s go live radiantly.
XOXO,
Laura
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Luke 1 and 2
All scripture NIV unless otherwise noted
