Life On MissionSample

You might not feel courageous by nature but with Jesus alive in you, there is courage there just waiting to be released. When I was getting ready to ask my father-in-law for my wife's hand in marriage I was terrified. I made an appointment with him and drove three hours to meet him at his house. Just blocks away, reality set in and my breakfast came out. It was a mess. I raced to the nearest store to get some mints. Upon entering the house Bill lectured me about the challenges, trials and obstacles of ministry. He also warned me about the challenges of marrying such a strong woman, his daughter. As I slowly melted into the leather couch he asked me a simple question, “Will you stand up, take your glasses off and I’m going to punch you in the face?” I sat bewildered at his request but I thought to myself, “It’s only one punch, right?” As I stood up and took my glasses off he roared in laughter and gave me a huge hug and walked away. As he retreated to the kitchen I shouted, “So...Can I marry your daughter or what?” He poked his head from around the corner and said, “Sure!” That courageous moment forced me to be extremely reliant on God. That’s what courageous moments do. They take you out of your comfort zone and force you to do something great and significant. A courageous church will dream big dreams and take big risks. A courageous person will find that the strain caused by their courage will drive them to intimacy with God. A complacent, apathetic, limited application of God’s leading will reveal a complacent, apathetic and limited relationship with God. In light of what we have just read, we are most aware that God is with us in moments of fear. That’s where courage thrives. If you want to be more aware of God and the courage that only he can bring, step out of your comfort zone. Take a moment to pray for three wonderful people that God has placed in your life that don’t know Jesus. Pray for courage to represent Jesus to them. Pray for continued opportunities to love them with the love of Jesus.