Brave can really look so many different ways. For our family, who really cherishes our comfort zone, this is a challenge to push us beyond that point of comfort into change, progress, and growth. The kids have come up with great ideas about standing up for what they believe, sharing God's word with others, and being true to who they are. Little do they know, they are brave in so many ways. I am so excited to really point out these moments to them throughout the year and continue to build their confidence in themselves and their abilities. I feel sure they will take the brave theme and soar with it. They really are awesome kids like that!
For the Husband and I this will be harder. If you know us, you know how introverted Hubby is. This in turn makes me appear to be the extrovert. And I guess in the relationship, that would be accurate. The truth is I have many fears. I really don't like talking to people I don't know, I hate unknown situations, I get anxiety at the drop of a hat, I strongly fear rejection and upsetting others... well, you get the idea. I'm really sort of blah and probably should hide in my house forever. However, two people cannot function like that so we compensate and make do. I am hoping by hanging onto this brave thing that we can really embrace stepping out of what's comfortable and making some great strides as individuals and as a couple.
So like I said before, we wanted a word and a Bible verse. Choosing the word was a piece of cake. However, there just wasn't a verse that was really speaking to me. I should have known that walking into church today would be just what I needed. Our verse was right there! And even more astonishing, the message was exactly in line with being brave, only in a capacity we had yet to explore in our conversations. (God is funny like that.)
Today's message was about making 2015 the year you build your life around God instead of God around your life. Sounds good in theory, right?!? I mean, we all know this is what we are supposed to do. But how many of us, if we are truly honest with ourselves, are placing God in the center of our entire lives? Submitting to His will? Releasing control? Abandoning worry for faith? Hold on! Go back! Releasing control?!? Yeah, that's what I said! And then it hit me... having this uninhibited faith is an act of being brave for me! Pursing God in all aspects of my life (time, finances, relationships, the steps I choose to take) takes so much bravery for me! Because if I'm really honest with myself, it's scary to tithe when you aren't sure if there will be enough at the end of the month without giving that 10%. It's scary to branch out to meet new people to walk on this journey with. It's scary to release control in the decisions I make in life, and completely and utterly trust in God to guide me. I thought I was doing some of this... but today I realized I'm really still hanging on to me being in charge in so many ways. Am I brave enough to let go?!?
The last thing I wrote in my notebook today were words from our Pastor John Stickl... "The passion you pursue Him with reveals the value you believe He is worth." We all need an ah-ha moment, and today that was mine! This year, I will be brave enough to let go and pursue God in a way I never have before. And I hope that you, my sweet friends, will not only join me but hold me accountable.
Our Word: Brave
Our Verse: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
- Jeremiah 29:13
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