Hello, again! It’s been quite some time since I’ve visited this little blog. I’ve had the urge to write out the things within my heart. It may last for a day or a year! Coming off of Bethel Music’s Worship Nights tour last week, I had something rolling in my brain which I’ve been pondering on today.
Lately, I’ve been noticing this theme among the Christian community on being brave and courageous. My close friends and I have been discussing this idea and determining what it looks like in our personal lives for a couple of years now. Our youth ministry has purposed that 2014 will be the year that we walk in courage in all areas of our lives. I’ve noticed an influx of interest in foreign missions and have several dear friends who are set to enter the mission field in the next few months and into the next year. Even amongst the broader church world, Hillsong has been speaking on “Pioneering Again” and United released the captivating “Oceans” track which speaks of “walk[ing] upon the waters; Wherever You would call me; Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander”
Adventure…Wildness…Becoming un-layered from the things that would hinder our personal freedom. Being unafraid to embrace and see with spiritual eyes the promises that God has spoken.
And then, last week I hear “You Make Me Brave” by Bethel’s Amanda Cook live in Atlanta, and I thought I just might have a heart explosion from the amount of faith it was building in my soul!
You know Peter got to have this real life experience of walking on water with Jesus that has now become either a cool story or a tangible example for us all (Matthew 14). For us who want that wild trust in and obedience to our most true and intimate friend, Jesus calls us to take part in the most daring adventure of His mission on the Earth. As Peter is doing just that, the Amplified version of the Bible states, “when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened…” and from there we know that he began to sink and Jesus came to his rescue. Follow me here.
I can see there’s this move of faith being felt across the body of Christ. But, we can’t mistake it for a feeling, emotion, or spiritual experience that stays within a church building. These times of refreshing should move us outside! As a mentor of mine so beautifully expressed “awakening and true revival always has generosity attached to it. It will never turn inward if it’s a genuine move of God.” Authentic revival in our nation or world will always breed evangelism and discipleship! We have been entrusted with the greatest mission of God. The adventure requires a huge amount of emotional and possible physical risk on our parts. In the end, we are promised victory for these sacrifices of emotional and physical comfort. But, we must know in the mean time we need the bravery of God as we ourselves will “perceive and feel the strong wind” which in turn will definitely frighten us. We must take up the courage of God in these days because the urgency of the Kingdom of Heaven is among us. Let’s be brave!
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