I believe that each Christ follower has the desire to do what God has called them to do and to live according to His purposes for their lives.
So what is it then that so often holds us back? What is it that keeps us from actually living the bold and courageous life that we were meant to live?
It’s simple. We are too obsessed with self. All to often we’re not looking at the one who has called us but instead, we’re looking to ourselves. We unintentionally weigh the brave life we imagine in our heads with the person we see in the mirror. If we deem ourselves not able, not brave, not strong enough, then like a statistical math equation, we conclude we ought to stay put.
But what if we changed that?
What if instead of looking at the person in the mirror for affirmation, we look at the one who created the person in the mirror?
Moses was called to be brave.
God gave Moses a BIG assignment. He told him to go back to Egypt, speak with Pharaoh and tell him to let the Israelites go. He told him to go the the king of grand empire and demand hundreds of thousands of Israelite slaves walk out of Egypt.
Moses was less than excited about this assignment. He responded with “but God…” and “what if…” Moses even told God to send someone else. Moses was held back by fear.
After receiving God’s instructions, all Moses could see was himself and his own inadequacies: he wasn’t brave, he wasn’t a good speaker, people might not listen to him, Pharaoh might not listen to him…
God responded to Moses’ concern with a statement meant to reassure him and boost his confidence. He said,
I will certainly be with you. Exodus 3:12
Isn’t it interesting that when Moses was nervous, God didn’t say, “You got this bro!” or “You can do it!” or “Go get ‘em Mo!” That’s fine encouragement if you’re trying to boost someone’s confidence in them-self.
But that’s not what God was doing!
God wanted Moses to go to Pharaoh with confidence in God, NOT himself.
God’s words are more like those of a dad in the pool.
He’s holding his hands out to his toddler son and saying, “Jump son, I’m right here. I’ll catch you.”
Over and over throughout the Bible, whenever there is a charge to be brave, courageous, or bold, it’s always on the foundation of God and who HE is! Look, read these verses and you’ll see what I mean.
So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
The LORD is my light and my salvation- Whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise- in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4
See, being brave actually has very little to do with who we are, what we feel or what we think about ourselves. Being brave has everything to do with who we believe God is!
In fact, you might say that being brave is just having faith that God is exactly who He says He is!
In what ways has God called you to be brave?
Whatever it is he has called you to, don’t waste time looking at yourself and how you might not be qualified. Place your confidence in who God is.
At the end of Moses’s journey he passed on some very important advice to Joshua (a man who would be leading in Moses place.) What’s interesting, is that the same advice that didn’t bring Moses comfort at the start of his journey ends up being the very advice he gives Joshua.
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid… For the LORD your God goes with you. Duet. 31:6
The Holy Spirit within us beckons us to be brave. Not because of who we are, but because of who it is that goes with us.
Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4