My entire life I have longed to be courageous.  I wanted to speak up for truth when others were hiding in the shadows.  I knew I was called to live my faith out loud even when it was not popular. 

But, I have to be honest.  My actions did not always align with my heart.  

There have been times when I have ignored sarcastic jabs at my faith.  Times when I have neglected to reach out to the outcast because I was not sure how they would receive my attempts of compassion.

Those missed opportunities have served to remind me that courage is not my nature…it is not man’s nature.  I believe that humans tend to be self-protecting.  When compassion rises in us that would take us out of our comfortable bubble, we argue.  When something compels us to stand against culture’s current, we want to sit down and shut up instead of stand strong and speak up. 

Several years ago, I ran across a verse that has really encouraged me in this battle I fight daily to access courage and to dismantle apathy.  Within this verse, I found an encoded principle to strength and boldness.  

Acts 4:13 says:

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled and ordinary men,

they were stondished and they took note that these mad had been with Jesus." 

I can relate to Peter and John…perhaps you can also.  They were not necessarily the most intelligent.  They did not come from an impressive lineage.  Their charisma was not entirely captivating.  Yet, they were turning the world upside down. 

And, as the religious leaders of the day searched for an answer as to why they were so courageous and effective, they only found one. 

Their courage…their boldness had been deposited in them as they spent time with Jesus. 

I had been told my entire life that I needed to have devotions.  People had worked to convince me that it was my religious duty…but when I began to understand the benefits of spending time in the presence of the Creator of the Universe, I realized it was not a duty…it was an opportunity. 

It was a chance to let Him deposit in me the things that he longed to bless me with.  I realized that he would uncover all of the gifts and passions that He had placed in me when He created me intentionally and strategically in the recesses of Heaven.

If you are like me and have been working to discover how your faith should intersect your life, then, let me encourage you to spend time with Jesus. As you develop a holy habit of getting to know Him through the reading of the Holy Scriptures and through interacting with Him through prayer, God will begin to shape you, mold you, and sculpt you into the man or woman that you were created to be.

Start today and make it a daily appointment.  If you don’t already do this, just open your Bible to a New Testament book.  Before you begin to read, pray and ask God to reveal Himself to you and to work in you.  Then jump in.  Get a picture of who Jesus was…how He loved, and how much He loves you.  You will see pictures of His unconditional love that will encourage you, as you understand that He offers you this same love.  You will see expressions of His compassion aimed at others…this will inspire you to reach out to others as well. 

When you are done reading, talk to God.  Give him permission to lead you and guide you…to change you as He desires. If you make this a common practice in your day, you will discover a confidence and courage that you have never known.  Compassion will rise up in your heart.  And, you will see your faith begin to mature before your very eyes. 

God can’t wait to reveal Himself to you…and as He does, He will be unveiling the real you. 

Enjoy the journey…

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