Next Tuesday I am sending my six children BACK TO SCHOOL! Mostly there is excitement for my kids, but I’m sure underneath the surface it isn’t all anticipation and joy. Do you remember the first day of school? So much anticipation every year with new friends, new teachers, and many times a new school. Inevitably something creeps into our mind though…FEAR. What will happen? Fear makes cowards of us all and makes us want to give up, sometimes even before we start. That’s right, the most debilitating four letter word known to man is FEAR. It will destroy you. But what does it take to have courage in this new season of your life?
“Courage isn’t having all the answers, but believing God has them.”
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Growing up this verse above was on my wall. I would read it every day. Eventually it stuck in my brain and somewhere along the way it made its way into my heart. What am I trying to say? DON’T GIVE UP!
What It Takes To Have Courage
#1 No Turning Back – “Let go of your past and embrace today.“
Life will NEVER be the same. There I said it. This may be hard news, but fear of stepping forward many times has to do with the debilitating effects of past experiences. This pain can cripple us, but we must use our pain as a powerful motivator of what is to come. The Israelites knew pain. A whole generation died, the people were in slavery. You can’t go back, things will NEVER be the same, and you have to let go. The past will either paralyze you, Preoccupy you, or prostrate you before God.
#2 No Limits – “Vision makes some people nervous, but it inspires others.”
There really are no limits to what God can do. This doesn’t mean God WILL do it, it means he CAN do it. This is the dilemma of the Christian life. Our frustration comes when we disagree with God on what HE DOES. However, our belief and prayers have to be that God has our best interest in mind, and His limits and possibility are unrestrained.
#3 No Doubt – “Courage doesn’t mean careless, it means careful dependence.”
Doubting God is like arguing the sunrise. Will it happen? Inevitably, but is it hard to wait and it seems like the night is dragging on forever. One thing you can be sure of though, God’s timing is NOT our timing. The more we listen to God the more we understand His timing and the less we tend to doubt. The younger we are, the harder this is because we simply don’t have the experiences built up helping us understand the faithfulness of God. Dependence on Him is His aim. Believe.
#4 No Excuses – “Life is short, just take the step.”
I have met so many people who have so many excuses of why they aren’t doing what they feel God is calling them to. Here is a question to end all questions: Did you do the LAST thing you felt God told you to do? I’m not talking about the warm fuzzies. I am talking about the absolute clarity you had to take a step, confirmed by wise counsel, but you JUST – COULDN’T – TAKE – THE – STEP. Today is the day, now is the time, MAKE IT HAPPEN
Josh
September 11th is VISION SUNDAY at 217church – We have HUGE NEWS for you about the future of the church!
Our Next Series study of the Book of Romans Starts September 18
September 18 – Unstoppable Gospel
September 25 – Unstoppable Grace
Josh Conn is the founding pastor of 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00. Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us. Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here
I would just say, and have always felt that you simply look at the worst that can happen, accept it, and do not fear it. If I say something, what is the worst that can happen? it already has! nothing to fear!
With respect as you are a Marine
Adam
Ps, I have met Marines, they have my respect. More so then professional clergy, who I have also met in my life.