Everyday Bravery

Corporate Worship was a gift on Sunday. All those Partners in Mission. All those Baptisms -- especially the adults. What a great morning together.

Anyway, PB (that's short for Pastor Bill not peanut butter) told us we were brave. He shared our stories. He reminded us of who we really are. I was thinking about what bravery looks like for me. I know it looks like being "out there" more than I currently am -- what I mean by being "out there" is just spending time with people who don't think and act like I do. My confession is that I just don't do this enough. I don't have any excuses. This is on me. I do, however, ask for your prayers.

I also know that bravery has to do with some "in house" stuff as well. I said something I shouldn't have to my wife last night (don't ask me what it was!). What bravery looked like for me this morning was just going to her and saying, "I'm sorry." I didn't want to do this. I mean, I really did not want to do this -- I'm not saying this for the purpose of having a good story, but to give you some insight into the fact that I'm prideful and constantly looking to defend myself. But I managed to get the words out. I think, too, what bravery looked like for my wife when I said, "I'm sorry," was to say, "I forgive you."

I've also recognized that what bravery looks like for me is to bless people verbally. This has never been easy for me. I'm not sure why -- I've been on the blessed end of words all my life. For whatever reason, though, I find myself hesitating from saying the good stuff I really feel about other people. So, I've made a more concerted effort to say kind (and true!) things to people throughout the day. This is an act of courage for me because I naturally want to shirk back. So, I'm trying to be brave and push past my natural hesitation to say what I really think is great about other people.

Where have you been brave? Where have you been fearful? What are the brave prayers you've been praying? Remember, two sentences might be plenty -- and they don't need to be perfect . . . just honest.

Posted on Tue, July 1, 2008 by Jason Brown

4 comments (Add your own)

1. Da Sciple wrote:: (Before I start, this is a brutally honest post from beginning to end)

I've been brave in wearing my Christian T Shirt that says "In God I Trust" when I go out in public. I even wear the one that bracelet my sister gave me with 1 Corinthians 5:17 on it.

I know someone else brave too. 5 years old, in Peru. He stood in front of an armed man with a machine gun and said " Please dont kill me, I do not want to die but I CANNOT DENY JESUS CHRIST "

He died that day.... right there.

I've been praying that God would prepare me and my family to be that brave if we the need should arise here in America or wherever else he sends us.
Tue, July 1, 2008 @ 9:29 AM
2. Ron wrote:: I identify with not being able to bless people easily. I don't know why, but words like "I really appreciate all you do" just don't roll off my tongue very easily. When the opportunity is there, the words just get stuck and then the opportunity passes. But I know when I do bless people, it's a two way street because I get blessed by their reaction that someone actually notices them for who they are and what they do. It lifts me up as well.
So with the Holy Spirit's conviction and push, I will make a concerted effort to bless even if it does make me uncomfortable and soon I won't give it a second thought; it will just be who I am.
Tue, July 1, 2008 @ 9:56 AM
3. LadyPrvbs31 wrote:: I'm brave and fearful at the same time; being faced with the responsibility of a submissive wife (Eph. 5.22). Sometimes its difficult finding the role God has called me to live while shutting out the "I'm every women" movement in our society. Submitting to the final say when deliberations don't meet at a mutual decision is tough, but rewarding. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1Cor 11.1). I try and follow this instruction from Paul and apply it to my marriage.
Tue, July 1, 2008 @ 1:41 PM
4. MJW wrote:: To pray aloud was an "act of courage" for me because I also always wanted to "shrink back." At Oasis, people break into groups and take turns praying aloud. When I first started going and it was my turn to pray, I was really scared! I didn't know what to say and I was afraid of sounding silly. But I did it anyway, even though I was afraid. Evenutally I learned how the Holy Sprit takes over sometimes in prayer and sometimes somebody would say that they were comforted or reassured. In turn that is a hughe blessing for me!
Thu, July 3, 2008 @ 7:18 AM

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