Be Brave.

I don’t go in much for New Year’s resolutions, but I do really love to reflect on the past year and look forward prayerfully to the year to come. This past year was full of surprises, after about 10 years of same, same, same (which isn’t bad, but I had started to believe that surprises don’t usually happen once you grow up).

One surprising thing I did in 2017 is write a book I didn’t expect to write. I started the year with a children’s book I hoped to publish (which hasn’t found a publisher yet) and ended up writing a completely different book (which will release later this year). It took bravery to go out on a limb and start it; to go out of my comfort zone and pitch it; to go for broke and see it through to completion.

And here’s the crazy thing: The things we love to do don’t relent. They don’t go away. Sometimes things rest for a season…or a decade…or even three…but they come back. They may take a back seat, but they don’t ever disappear. Not fully. Not if they are things God has made us and formed us to do.

The things you’re supposed to do, were created to do, love to do–they don’t relent. The desires of your heart eventually bubble back to the surface.

Even now, as I finish my manuscript, there is a new story that keeps coming to me in whispers and visions, that I know I need to write. It’s been coming for two years and it won’t remain unwritten. But it won’t be easy. It won’t be simple. It will involve a stripping down of self and a load of hard work.

It takes bravery to create…to do…because creating is an investment of time, energy, and self. Anything you pour your heart and soul into takes bravery.

It takes bravery to step out and follow Jesus out upon the waters. It takes courage. Most of all, it takes faith. There will be winds and waves. There will be sinking. There will be hard knocks. But always, there is his firm hand and his voice calling to us.

When it’s time to do something brave, it’s time to lock eyes with Jesus.

Go on and be brave in 2018. Lock eyes with Jesus and ask him what it is he’s calling you to do.

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” (Matthew 14:28-29 NKJV)

4 Comments

  1. Spot-on and timely, as always, dear Rachel!

  2. Thank you, dear Nina! I hope you are well!

    1. I am dear one! The verse the Lord gave me for my theme this year was Joshua 13 1B about how there is still land to conquer and possess! And that definitely requires being brave! 🙂 love, Nina Ruth 🙂 PS I did not know about your book… I would love to know about it do you have a link?

  3. Bravery…something I’m very short on. Thank you for the inspiring message.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *