When it comes to being fearless, you get to have a whole lot of wrong examples to start with. The wrong sense of bravery and courage often borders on being reckless and going beyond all limits: If you’re a daredevil, you would do all kinds of stunts, get a cemented broken arm and get applauded for it; you may pursue a relationship with someone in a way that no one including God Himself would smile at; or you could be the kind who is a respecter of no one. This kind of fearlessness just won’t make meaning out of whatever out-of-this-world idea you could think of for the sake of showing you aren’t a chicken.
The fearless life God is calling us to is one that anchors itself on the Rock, Christ Himself, who makes us firm and sturdy, one that pursues what is right in God’s eyes no matter what the whole world may think, say or do. David acknowledged this kind of courage and bravery when he said:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me,
yetI will be confident.” (Psalm 27:1-3)
There is nothing that can defeat a person who is on God’s side. You don’t need to have an alter ego, super powers, or mutant abilities to be brave. Like Joshua, Daniel, Paul and many others in the Bible, God was the fearless factor. He was the One who strengthened their core to the point that when He had something big for them to do, sometimes a death-defying act, they went forward and were unswerving in their faith because they knew God was their strength and shield…wait, it could also be put simply…they knew God! They knew Him for who He really is. And this resulted in God using them victoriously, God making their lives great examples of what happens when a simple person trust in Him.
That can make a big difference in our lives too. If we commit to knowing God and knowing He is with us always, we are able to face any challenge. No matter what we need to do, whether it is sharing your faith with that friend of yours, being honest in school or in your work, making your convictions crystal-clear, or living out Christianity ‘with loudspeakers and a subwoofer,’ you will be confident and sure to make it great. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Pilgrim Shepherd 