Courage as a Lifestyle: From Personal Risks to Participating in the Reign of God

“Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” 2 Samuel 10:12

• I removed one of my sons from public school.

• I accepted and embraced love again. (August 6 wedding, loading in 17 days....)

• I write a blog sharing my story and my lessons.

  
  

I don't share these to brag rather to show you that courage takes different shapes. "Without courage;" Maya Angelou (or Mama Maya as I refer to her) said, "we can practice no other virtue." That means love takes courage. Integrity takes courage. Excellence takes courage.

Courage fuels what we do here at Speaking Life. It’s one of our core values. Courage calls us to be vulnerable and authentic as a way of life and to cultivate and celebrate even more of it in those we serve. I love writing this and y'all it's not easy. It's intentional, sometime slow work that's never done. I have places in me, ministry, and business that still need courage - and they always will because courage, if we choose, can become a lifestyle.

When we practice courage it impacts everything and everyone. First, when you move in courage it impacts you. A better approach to trying to prove yourself to others is to prove yourself to yourself. Show up for you! I used to be so into proving people wrong. All of that was rooted in my own insecurity of not knowing if i could do something. 

Second, since courage is contagious, you increase courage in others. When folks see or experience you moving and acting, speaking and feeling courageous they are inspired by it. So as a leader in ministry or a pastor when you invite others to join you in a courageous vision, possibility or impossibility they begin to believe and emulate courage as well. In a sense you become a courage midwife.

Scripture invites us to have courage.

“Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” 2 Samuel 10:12

Last, your courage and your team/church’s courage all can impact your city. When your church or organization moves in courage to serve the community it can spark courage and hope in others. We’re here to be part of co-creating the reign of God. It’s worth stretching beyond our comfort and living and leading in courage.The scripture says and may the lord do what seems good to God. So God do what you do. What seems good to you, Lord? How do you desire to use my courage, which is rooted in trusting you to hold me and carry me through?

May the Lord do what seems good to God! It's not about me, it's about us, our city, new ways of being church, transforming the world in collaboration with God. I wait to see what God will do.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,Nor have entered into the heart of manThe things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Action Brings Clarity:

What's the next courageous action for you and your church or organization? Maybe you haven't written it down or shared it aloud. Speak it now - even if it’s a whisper!

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