Brave

I had to do something yesterday that was brave.  I was told it was a brave thing but I felt like a coward.  Since I am really hard on myself I'll go with what others told me!  I've been on a journey of becoming brave for quite a while now.  Actually it seems that my 30's have been devoted to making me brave.  First I had to begin to confront some deep wounds from my past, if you have ever needed to do that you know it takes bravery.  Then I had to go to Africa in 2007.  For me that took major bravery!  I have had to stay connected to a community that I was wounded by, again more bravery required.  I was asked to teach a workshop at our Women's Retreat a few years back and God had me talk about fear, so as I was shaking in my "boots" I had to talk about bravery!*  Then I had to go back to Africa, which was the easy part, but I had to lead the team.  That took A LOT of bravery!  I have continued to confront wounds in my heart which always takes a certain amount of bravery.  And then yesterday I had to speak truth into a 4 year old situation that was painful and life changing and relationship transforming.  It was SO hard but it was SO good.  What I have found through all these years of bravery being developed in me is that each time I am obedient to the thing God asks I am blessed, others are blessed and I gain freedom from the pain that has held me captive for so long.  

I LOVE this song.  In fact when I spoke at the above mentioned Women's Retreat I ended my teaching by playing this song.  It was PERFECT.  The lyrics that Nichole penned are me to a "t".  I can relate to every level of this song.  Fear of so many things and people have tied me down, kept me in bondage, kept me from being who I really am.  My amazing hub has been asking God for years for freedom for me from fear because he somehow sees the potential I have if I would just let the strings of fear be cut so that I could soar.  Think I am exaggerating?  Just ask my hub, he'll tell you as he told someone yesterday whom we were seeking reconciliation with.  And the more bravery I allow to be developed in me the more dissatisfied I get with the status quo I have imposed on myself or others have tried to impose on me.  It just is no longer good enough.  I want more out of life.  I want to live brave and free for Christ.  I could go on and on about this song but I'll let the song speak to YOU in whatever way the Lord wants to use it.  I know how he has used it in my life and how he continues to.  

Go and be BRAVE!!    

Brave

*If you are curious about my teaching just email me and ask for a copy, I'm happy to share because it isn't my message but God's!  :)