The Bold & Brave

A few weeks ago, as I found myself immersed in the pages of Matthew 10, I was captivated by verses five to eight, "These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: 'Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." (NIV)

Since then, a deep stirring has been brewing within me, reminiscent of kindling, awaiting a spark to ignite a vibrant fire. My heart raced excitedly at the thought of Jesus imparting such crucial instructions to His disciples as they prepared for their inaugural mission trip. Those twelve men gathered closely around Him, saw the extraordinary miracles He performed, and witnessed firsthand the undeniable truth of His words.

Coincidentally, I stumbled upon this scripture just a day before embarking on my own mission trip to the landscapes of Guatemala. The impact of that passage on my spirit was exhilarating; it felt like I had received a direct, personal call from God. I envisioned Jesus standing right before me, urging me to go forth and proclaim His message, heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons. Note that He did not merely tell them to pray for those afflicted; He instructed them to heal those who were afflicted. I felt a surge of confidence, believing wholeheartedly that Jesus had entrusted me with this powerful mission. How could I possibly entertain the idea of fear when I was being called to fulfill such an important task?

Yet, when I found myself face-to-face with the first sick child, an overwhelming wave of fear swept over me. I stood there, paralyzed and wide-eyed, feeling as though I had swallowed a fly—my throat constricting and my words caught somewhere deep inside. I was utterly at a loss, feeling akin to a stunned horse, my instincts screaming at me to flee to safety. Taking a deep breath, I prayed for that baby and his mama. As I walked away from that humble shack nestled in the hills of Guatemala, I earnestly cried out to the Holy Spirit for guidance—asking for clarity in my heart, mind, and words for future encounters. And oh, how beautifully He responded! The Holy Spirit enveloped me in a comforting calm, granting me the right words and the courage needed for the next couple of individuals I met.

I've grappled with inadequacy throughout this journey, often feeling like a fool. Here I was, fully committed to trusting Jesus and His call, yet I felt utterly incapable of fulfilling it. A wave of frustration washed over me, leading me to conclude that I simply needed to muster the strength to be more courageous—bold, or perhaps both.

In these moments of doubt, my Heavenly Father has been a pillar of grace and motivation. He nudged my memory back to a cherished time spent with my own daughter. When she was about a year old, I would joyfully lift her above my head, her laughter filling the air as she relished the playful game. In time, I progressed to tossing her up into the air and catching her in loving arms. I can vividly recall the first time I threw her high above my head; there was a fleeting hint of hesitation on her face, but as I caught her in my arms, her delighted laughter rang out like music.

As she matured, she would eagerly reach her little hands towards the sky, not needing any words to ask me to throw her up again. With each lift, her confidence grew in my ability to catch her—all while her unwavering faith in me deepened. By the time she turned three, she had become so brave that she would leap daringly off the couch, fully assured that I would be there to catch her. When considering the definition of bravery, I found its meaning, courageous behavior or character to exemplify my little girl’s attitude in those moments.

I believe God highlighted this nostalgic memory to encourage me, urging me to embrace the small yet significant steps of faith and to cultivate greater boldness in my trust toward Him. I remind myself that He will always be there to catch me. He longs for the moment I stretch my arms toward Him, taking that exhilarating leap of faith without reservation—embracing the call to be bold in His directives: to go out, heal the sick, and raise the dead.

Isaiah 50:7 echoes profoundly: "Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced." What an incredible promise to hold onto—encapsulating the essence of boldness in Christ. As I contemplate this idea of boldness, I realize that others may interpret it as arrogance, a perception I never want to convey. Yet, reflecting on this scripture, I understand it is not about what I can achieve. It is about the Lord empowering me to become who He desires me to be. He is teaching me how to be brave and bold IN HIM—not in my own strength. The true foundation for every action I take for Jesus must be rooted wholly in Him.

I looked up the definition of boldness: the willingness to take risks and act innovatively with confidence or courage. How about you? Would you be willing to leap off the couch into Jesus's arms this week, trusting that He will catch you when you share your faith with someone? Embrace the challenge and let your faith shine!