Living Boldly

When was the last time you did something bold for God? It could be something as small as giving a word of encouragement to a stranger in the grocery store or as large as going as a missions trip. Living boldly does not look the same for each of us. The boldness comes from stepping outside of our own comfort zones. For the person who stands in front of people all day giving presentations in meetings, the idea of speaking to a large crowd would not really be bold. However, to the housewife or stay at home mom, this could be terrifying! For those of us who have dealt with the fear of rejection, walking up to a stranger and telling them God loves them is enough to cause our heart rates to rise. In our minds we know we are called to be obedient and know the reaction of the hearer is between them and God. They are not rejecting us personally.

The results are not where God calls our focus. God calls us to obedience. Obedience for you may be to say "yes" and for me to say "no." We often choose to measure another's obedience against what is obedience in our own lives. This is why it is so important for each of us to develop our own personal relationship with God and not simply depend on the interpretations of our pastors, authors of books, or even myself through my writings. I may read a scripture and because of my past experiences or current situations in my life, reach one interpretation. God can use the same verse to speak to you in a completely different way. 

Is there something you have always prayed God would never ask you to do? I know people who years ago said they would never want to go on a missions trip. Yet, that is exactly what God called them to do. For others it was a prayer that God would never ask them to give an extravagant gift and yet that is what they heard God say. Whatever your fear, that is the area in which we are called to be bold. 

Many of us are familiar with 2 Timothy 1:7, but how often have we heard it quoted followed by verse 8?

" For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord..."

Our ability to conquer fear is not about being able to skydive or parachute out of planes. Conquering fear is about sharing our testimony BOLDLY! It is about living as God directs us without apology or regrets. We are to share the testimony of Christ with love and power. The same power that allowed Jesus to arise from the grave is the same power that can live inside of us to tell others of His love and mercy. Do not be afraid to live boldly! 

What if each person reading this resolved to take one bold action for God? I would love to hear your stories of action and the results that follow! The "results" may not even be physical results, but the results that happen inside of you as you step out in bold obedience!