Have you ever noticed how you are daily faced with a constant barrage of decisions that you need to make? What should I wear? When should I have my devotion time or even take the time at all? Should I go out of my way to greet someone? Allow an off-color comment to pass or address it? Share my faith with the waitress? Give an old friend a call to encourage them or make another support call after being turned down? Should I pray with my kids? The list goes endlessly on!
Recently my thoughts have come because of the constant decisions I'm required to make. Furthermore, in an environment that requires timely decision-making, I often seek to honor God when making each one. I desire to make choices that reflect personal priorities of intimately knowing God better and, in the process, making Him further known.
Lately I've been studying passages in the Old Testament, particularly Kings and Joshua. It struck me that regardless of the thousands of years that have come and gone and the various technological advancements that have occurred, mankind and life's circumstances haven't changed. Similar to Joshua and the Book of Kings, God is still in search of men and women willing to step up to the plate and courageously lead. The courage to walk by faith and lead the way Joshua did is timeless. In a similar fashion when commanding Joshua to "be strong and courageous," God is personally asking us to do the same today. We each must step out in faith and trust God to move us individually forward in our journeys with Him. We must also corporately trust Him and collectively walk in faith, trusting Him for a preferred future for the body of Christ and Athletes in Action.
Jesus humbly lived out a life of faith daily. He personified perfectly what it meant to exhibit, apply and choose faith over fear. He constantly had to decide whom He would obey, serve and follow. Would it be Satan and his deceptive attempts to get Jesus to say "yes" to the temporal offerings of the world? Or would Jesus choose to exhibit courage in the face of fear and choose to obey? "Take this cup from me Father but your will supersedes mine (Matthew 26:39, paraphrased)" is one of the most powerful dialogues between Father and Son. With agony Jesus acknowledged His fear of impending separation from His Father and yet continued to push obediently ahead. He did so as he stared fear in the face without flinching. Jesus says "yes" to employing courage and "no" to our fear that binds us. What a timeless example for us all.
Christ's unyielding desire to obey was clearly reflected throughout His life. He daily made the choice to say "yes" to the Father and intentionally deny (say "no" to) Himself. In a very real way He chose courage over fear-that of the unknown, what would become of Him, and separation from the Father. Courage is simply choosing by faith to obey and forge ahead in the midst of your fear.
As we each go through our journey of faith I encourage you to make the conscious decision to live by faith. Actively demonstrate courage in the midst of fear. You may not be able to see the end result of your faithful choices but I promise that you won't be disappointed. God always has something better in store for you when you employ faith and courage in the midst of fear and anxiety. Personally, I've found and experienced that the only way to get to where God wants me to go is by faith-not by manipulation or earthly control, but simply by employing courage and walking by faith. It as if a distant outlook exists that can only be seen and experienced when you step out in faith and trust Him.
My encouragement is to brave the unknown with the Lord. Openly render your heart and hands to what God has and desires for you. Simply ask the Lord to have His way with your life. "Here I am Lord. Send me, use me and shape me, giving me the courage to become more like You for the building of Your Kingdom."
Trusting Him for things that-when they happen-can only be attributed to Him .
Bill
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