DAY 20 — Oceans of Courage

Ocean-swimmers live their lives from a biblical worldview. They aren’t satisfied with splashing in puddles of comfort or approval; they push into the deeper waters of God’s calling. Paul prayed this very thing for the believers in Thessalonica — that God would take their holy desires and bring them to fruition by His power. Not their effort, not their performance, but His strength at work in them.

We see this in the life of Gladys Aylward, who I’ve mentioned before. By the world’s standards, she was small, unqualified, and easily dismissed. Yet when God stirred her heart for the people of China, she obeyed. That obedience eventually led her to lead over one hundred orphans across treacherous mountains to safety during wartime. Gladys didn’t get there by grit alone. God took her desire to serve Him and gave her the strength to do the unthinkable.

Sometimes, it doesn’t look like mountains and orphans. For me, it looked like meeting a neighbor during Covid who was battling brain cancer. I didn’t have time to add one more thing, but God nudged me to step in. Helping with her kids’ reading, coordinating meals, and simply showing up became my small way of loving in the middle of her brokenness. And in it, God grew me, too.

That’s what Paul is praying for you and me: that our everyday choices, our sacrificial steps of faith, would overflow into lives that matter for eternity.

DRINK DEEP

Pray Paul’s words today: “Lord, make me worthy of Your calling, and by Your power bring to fruition every good desire and deed You’ve planted in me.” Then step into the opportunities God puts in front of you — big or small.

When God floods your life with His fullness, even the smallest vessel can carry oceans of courage.