"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold."
~ 2 Corinthians 3:12
In a world that is seemingly more secular by the day, what does it look like to live boldly as a child of the King and where do we find our strength for that?
The second half of the question may seem a little silly, but it's important to ask and remind ourselves regularly. We'll come back to that.
I was having a conversation with my earthly father recently regarding the idea that, at times, our culture and our world seem to be becoming more and more secularized by the day. What we came down to is that we (the church-going, Bible-believing, Jesus-loving people) may just be wrong about that perception, when it seems that way.
Perhaps it's just that the world would have us think so. The loudest voices in pop-culture and media and social media would like us to think we are small as a body of believers.
But, I believe that in times of global and social darkness and challenge, people reach for God more than ever. I believe you are part of a vast body working toward spreading salt and light in a world that needs it so desperately... regardless of what the world and the opposition would have any one of us think.
Maybe it's just me, but I really do believe it.
When the sun rises each day and somehow that new mercy of the Son rise blooms in our hearts anew, we can KNOW that we are not divided and alone. We are one with the Father and one with each other. And, the spoiler is the best part of all... we can know that the victory has been won.
When we value who we are as people and we honor not only our father and mother, but our neighbor, and even our enemy, we draw nearer and nearer, not only to the Father and to being more Christ-like, but to the child we were created to be.
However, living like that takes boldness. It takes living powerfully in the beauty of His creation as the beautiful creation you were created to be as an integral part of that vast creation.
And, the strength for that, as you know, comes from Him.
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." ~ Philippians 4:13
That is something it is profoundly helpful to remind ourselves of, and not just when we're confronted with something hard, but day by day as the sun rises and we are given the present of the present... maybe even breath by breath sometimes. In all moments, it is His presence that makes it all either more of itself, or gives us greater ease and grace in the face of whatever is going on. And, I would suggest that it is often even both. He expands our ability to handle the things of life with ease and grace, but He also helps us appreciate and experience MORE. More love, more presence, more appreciation and gratitude. Expansive more.
So, with His strength and presence as a foundation, how do we live boldly? Practically speaking.
First, we know that we know that we know who we are and whose we are.
When we walk in the world, we walk in that Truth. And, when the world confronts us about it, we own that Truth and THE Truth, by His strength and the words of the Holy Spirit which will be given.
When fear creeps in, we identify it as what it is, acknowledge where it comes from and step up and out anyway... because God's got your back.
We listen to the Father, we seek His voice and His guidance, and we give our all to choosing to trust and obey.
If we find ourselves getting swept away by the ways of the world, we put our foot down, stand our ground, and by the grace of the Father, take ground.
There's more to be said here, but we're not going for a dissertation today. So, to be continued I suppose...
THANK YOU GOD, that You have the strength for this... whatever "this" Your child is traveling through; and that you've gifted each of Your children that strength, through Your Son.
Thank You, for blessing this Your child with a supernatural boldness to be themselves, to walk in faith as the Child of God that You would have them be, powered by Your strength and love and grace and joy and light.
Thank You for emboldening them with the boldest boldness for this life, this day, and each moment they're privileged to walk this earth.
In the blessed name of Your Son Yeshua, who lived with the ultimate boldness and grace, we pray.
Amen.
"... But the righteous are as bold as a lion." ~ Proverbs 28:1b
"In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence." ~ Ephesians 3:12
"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say." ~ Luke 12:12
"What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." ~ Philippians 1:18-20
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
Sharables! ...and, hey, thanks for sharing. ♥
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