Sunday, May 22, 2016

COURAGE

"COURAGE is not about knowing the path.
It is about taking the first step."
 
*

Isn't that the hardest part, taking the first step; whether towards a conflict, accepting a change, pursuing an unlovable person, considering an opportunity that seems so beyond our abilities, etc.

"If you go the wrong way—to the right or to the left—
you will hear a voice behind you. It will say,
“This is the right way. You should go this way.”

Isaiah 30:21

When we find the courage to take the first step, how equally important it is to know that God will guide us. We hear His whispers of what to do & we have a choice . . . to ignore them, to ponder them, or to take action and step out in faith. The reward comes in finding that He is in control and His ideas, possibilities, and plans are so much better than our own finite minds can imagine.

"LOVE each other, be deep-spirited friends.
Don’t push your way to the front;
don’t sweet-talk your way to the top.
Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.
Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.
Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand."

Philippians 2:2-4

"I believe there is only one truly courageous thing we can do with our lives: to love unconditionally. We aren't called to save the world, not even to save one person; Jesus does that. We are just called to love with abandon. We are called to enter into our neighbors' sufferings and love them right there."* May you be encouraged to love with abandon right where you are.

* excerpts from "Kisses from Katie ~ a story of relentless love & redemption" by Katie Davis.
An exceptional & inspirational book, which we highly recommended.