A Cup of Courage for Me Please
1 Chronicles 28:20 “And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.”
I recently had a dream this week that I found a female tiger in my home. A lot of my family members were there but no one else knew or even saw the tiger except for me. The tiger was gentle but stood boldly and posed no threat to hurt me. We were intuitively connected and she came to me and allowed me to touch her, but out of panic that everyone else would be frightened to death when they saw it, I hid the tiger in secret until I could figure out a way to get rid of the tiger without any of my people having to see it or be afraid.
As I carried about to organized my plans of getting rid of this tiger, I came to realize in an instant that one of my relatives went into the room where I hid the tiger and let her free to roam the house again, unbeknownst to them. I was so upset about her getting loose that I had everyone ducking about and hiding for the protection of their lives. When the tiger finally found us, she jumped down to meet us and sat next to me quietly without harm.
When God begins to perfect His work in us and His plans for our lives, it requires that we have the fortitude of faith, patience as well as endurance. Often times because we are uncomfortable with the length and intensity of the process we grow weary and resistant to change. Many of you are pursuing dreams that are bigger than you right now. The larger the vision, the more work, and the greater the impact it will have on you and the people around you. It takes a big cup of courage to follow-through until your aspirations have fully emerged into fruition.
Pious fears and at times self-imposed insecurities make us feel unqualified and inadequate for the dreams that the Lord has placed on the inside our hearts. Whether your desires are personal or professional, courage is the strength, power, and resolve to press your way from one goal of success to the next as you face uncomfortable uncertainties. You have to be courageous enough to take forward actions of faith even when the outcome ahead of you is still unclear. Be willing to take healthy risks that move you into unchartered territory. Be like Peter when He took the degree of faith to step outside the boat to meet Jesus walking on water, to do what man sees as impossible or against the norm.
Getting back to the dream, I am the female tiger that I saw and it was simply showing me that I have been trying to hide or keep secret who and what God has called me to be and do from my family, including friends, and other people. I do so out of fear of rejection and being misunderstood. I do so knowing that God has set me apart from others, so automatically the majority of the population who sees me differently, does not easily accept me. I have never been one to draw attention to myself. Never been one to draw the spotlight on what I am doing or who I am about. But notice that no matter how hard I tried to keep the tiger a secret in my dream, she got out anyway. Therefore, no longer can I hide or be afraid who and what God is calling me to be and do. No longer can I live this closet Christian lifestyle. It will take courage to stand and move boldly even when I am unsure of what the outcome will be for the plans and dreams that God has provided.
Courage is a rare and vital commodity that we all need to implement change into a world that yields painfully to transformation. I can write a thousand of words of encouragement each day to support you in reaching your divine successes. I can partner with you morning, noon and night until I have coached the very socks you are wearing smooth off your feet, but unless you take courage, you will be forever hiding and hindering yourself from the success that God has already claimed and set aside just for you.
The Author and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ, took courage in His own ministry. Against all odds and no matter the cost He was courageous to the very end of His divine assignment. He did not hide Himself from others. There was no fear about others rejecting Him about who He was or from what He knew God placed inside Him to do. No matter how often He tried to be low-key about His work and mission the “word” got out about who He was and what He was doing.
Jesus was the best of Himself that He could ever be. The world knows no one else like Him. The same can be said about you as you take courage to be your best self. Be the courageous vessel that will always be remembered for the impact you had in helping to build the Kingdom of God, here on earth. There is no one as you that has what you have to offer to the world.
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