To God be the Glory FOREVER, AMEN AND AMEN! ! !: Courage: Live It

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Courage: Live It

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power. —2 Timothy 1:7

Courage is one thing you need if you want to get God’s work done. That’s what I said when I spoke in a church service in Jamaica. I told the people that according to 2 Timothy 1:7, God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power.

A couple of days later, I stood 35 feet above the water on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. Should I jump off the precipice into the waters below? The teenagers who were with me said, “Yes!” Most of them had already done so. One told me, “Mr. Branon, if you don’t jump, you can’t preach about courage again.” I knew that sometimes the courageous thing is not to go along with the crowd. But this time, I jumped.

Courage makes a good theory, but sometimes we need help to practice it. We have many opportunities to step out of our comfort zone to serve God. When we don’t have courage, we need to be reminded of God’s promise in 2 Timothy, and we need others’ encouragement to take the leap.

Perhaps you need someone to tell you: Volunteer for that job at church—they need you. Have lunch with your co-worker to discuss matters of faith. Or join that small group.

Be courageous for Jesus. Sometimes it takes just that first step of courage to serve our majestic God.

Lord, give me the courage to rise above fear,
Even of danger, because You are near;
I would be faithful to face any foe
While I am walking with You here below.

Courage will follow when faith takes the lead.