boldness over being belittle
I may be the most selfish person you’ve ever met
In the times like we are in now, I struggle with speaking up when I need to. I guess you can say I’m the typical 9 who wants to create peace wherever they go.
But also, I am not afraid to speak up when I or someone else is misunderstood or treated unfairly.
Yup, You guessed it
I’m a 9w8. (ok enough enneagram, I promise)
This constant going back and forward kills me every time. Especially when it comes to sharing Christ with someone I don’t know.
You see, I grew up in a Christian bubble. Like a real thick bubble.
I attended a mega church and went to its elementary, middle, and high school. When I wasn’t in school, I was either working in the aftercare program, or leading worship throughout the week. Even the majority of my neighbors where Christian.
And I’m quite ashamed to say that I was not friends with anyone who didn’t know who Jesus was.
It wasn’t that it was my choice. It just never happened. I was never in that situation.
Now, I am not saying that it’s wrong to be involved in these things. Many Christians grow up in a bubble.
And I don’t regret any second of my bubble experience. I was blessed to grow up in that environment and be trained in the ways of Christ. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I wasn’t.
But what many Christians don’t understand is that…
the bubble life isnt the forever life.
Attending Impact 360 really prepared me for the real world, how to answer the hard questions about God, and how to share Jesus in a logical way that actually makes sense and doesn’t make it seem like a fairytale (sorry for the plug).
But it helped me realize that I have a really hard time sharing Jesus with those who don’t know Him.
And when I really think about it, it brings me to tears that I have family members that don’t know God.
Especially with all the opportunities God has given me.
At Passion 2020, I asked the Lord to speak to me about something specific for this next year. A way where I can utilize Passion as not just a spiritual high/feel-good conference, but actually let it have a lasting effect in my life. That’s what they’re for, right?
I asked God for a word. Just a word. Not a phrase.
And He did.
BOLDNESS
This sounds dramatic and over the top, but I experienced the best moment of my life when I heard this word.
It was singing “Good Grace” by Hillsong as we crossed over into the new decade.
Even as I write this, I am brought to tears as I remember standing with 65,000 people my age singing at the top of our lungs,
“Swing wide, all you heavens
Let the praise go up as the walls go down
All creation, everything with breath repeat the sound
All His children
Clean hands, pure hearts, good grace, good God,
His name is Jesus”
And in that moment, I was the closest to heaven as I have ever been on earth.
It was as if I was in the throne room of the Father, bowing at His feet, thanking him for all He has done, and delighting in His love and grace for me.
And I heard the word boldness so loud in my thoughts over and over and over again. I then saw a flashback of all the times the Lord has wanted me to be bold, but I was too scared.
And I knew God was saying,
“Why do you fear? I AM always with you. I AM always protecting you. I AM who I say I AM. My spirit goes with you. My spirit is within You. My spirit will speak for you. All you have to do is be available and willing.
And this is what I leave with you…
If you are a child of God and know people who don’t know Jesus, it’s not a coincidence.
They could have been friends with anyone else in this world, but they are in YOUR life.
What are you waiting for?
I know this sounds harsh and dramatic, but this is me practicing on how to say it how it is and not hold back.
There will be a day when Jesus will return, claim his reign on the earth and throw the devil into the lake of fire.
That day will come. It’s coming. Its near. If you don’t believe me, look at the world today.
We want to bring as many people into heaven with us as we can.
I say that I may be the most selfish person you have ever met because I knew this reality, and didn’t tell others about Jesus who didn’t know because… I was… scared and didn’t want to create an uncomfortable situation.
See how stupid I was?! Yea my spiritual gift is definitely not evangelism…
I’ve prayed the prayer saying, “Lord, reveal yourself to them. Show them who you are. Show them that they are loved, wanted, pursued, and are known by their Creator. Show them how they have a purpose and if they’re not dead, You’re not done with them.”
But what if you are the answer to your own prayer?
Whether you are meant to have a conversation with them, or fight for them in the spirit by praying for them.
BOLDNESS
Jesus was bold on earth. He traveled all over speaking about God and His love. He broke out of the bubble and sat with the sinners and the saints.
He doesn’t care about the past mistakes or mishaps.
He wants to redeem the past and give you a satisfied and fulfilled future.
This is my prayer. I hope this is your prayer.
Let’s be bold for Christ with the little time we have on earth
Lets reject fear and people pleasing…
And lets make…
HEAVEN CROWDED.
Examples and Bible Verses about Boldness and Courage
“But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you are to speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, because it isn’t you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.”
Matthew 10:19-20 CSB
“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:31 ESV
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they has been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13 ESV
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
Psalm 20:5 ESV
'“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God , who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 ESV
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control".”
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Notice John the Baptist’s boldness in preparing the way for the coming Christ:
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ I didn’t know him, but I came baptizing with water so he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him. I didnt know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on - he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit descending and resting on - he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ i have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
John 1:29-34 CSB
Commentaries on this passage (copy & paste): https://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/1-29.htm
Songs that Bring Boldness in Christ
Come What May (Live) - Lindy Conant-Cofer, The Circuit Riders
Fearless - Jesus Culture, Kim Walker-Smith
My Testimony - Elevation Worship
Rooftops (Live) - Jesus Culture, Kim Walker-Smith
Isn’t He (This Jesus) [feat. Natalie Grant] - The Belonging Co
Surrounded (Fight My Battle) [Live] - UPPERROOM
Way Maker (Live) - Leeland
See A Victory - Elevation Worship
There’s Nothing That Our God Can’t Do - Passion, Kristian Stanfill
Champion - Bryan & Katie Torwalt
