by Sally Matheny
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| Three Ways to Be Brave (Pixabay photo) |
What do brave Christians do?
Through God’s power, lots
of things!
Recently, I observed three brave Christians--a Vietnam veteran, a public school teacher, and a well-known evangelist. Here's what I learned.
Brave
Christians share what God is doing.
One brave act recently came from a Vietnam veteran. He
attends and serves in his church regularly. Normally, he worships in a quiet
manner. But, one Sunday, when the pastor asked if anyone had any announcements
for the congregation, this man spoke up.
He didn’t mention a church meeting or a
community event. He simply heeded the prompting of the Holy Spirit and shared
about a rainbow he had seen in the sky that morning. He reminded everyone about
how it was God’s creation and His promise.
Now, that may sound like something small to you. But it
wasn’t. It was a testimony to everyone in that church, including his
grandchildren, how to take notice of what God is doing and share it with others.
Brave Christians talk
about God, what He has done, and what He's doing now.
Brave
Christians support one other.
The second brave Christian I heard about was a public
elementary schoolteacher. As she sat at the back of the classroom, her students
watched the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
She shared this about her class of “amazing Americans”,
“My students made me very proud today . . .
When the
minister came and delivered a prayer, I looked
and my students all had their
heads bowed . . .
Then when Pence was sworn in, they said to stand,
and [all the students] stood!
They sang “America” and stood while Trump was sworn in.
All
this without any prompting from me.
I followed their example. . .”
This teacher followed all the rules and guidelines. She
was brave because she did not discourage what the students initiated. She was
brave because she followed through on her desire to join her students. And, she
was brave to share this story publicly on social media.
Brave Christians follow the law, but they don’t hide
behind it.
Brave
Christians Share the Truth in Love
The third brave Christian was at the inauguration of President
Donald Trump. Rev. Franklin Graham was one of the three pastors invited to make
a brief comment and pray.
When selecting the scriptures to read, Franklin Graham
did not choose passages that would appease all ears. Even though he knew God’s
truth would offend many, he offered its hope to all. It did not matter to Graham
if he attracted hateful criticisms. He obediently revealed the Truth out of
love.
He read from 1 Timothy.
“I urge, then, first of
all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all
people—for kings, for all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and
quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
This is good, and it please
God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of
truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man
Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all people . . . (1 Timothy
2:1-6)
Now to the King eternal,
immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. (1
Timothy 1:17).”
Then, Franklin Graham ended the prayer of scripture, “in
Jesus’ name.”
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| We can do brave things in the name of Jesus. |
Three Christians stepped out in faith. Each situation
was different, but all glorified God.
Are these three people perfect? No. Not even the
pastor.
Do any of them have all the answers to life? Of course
not. Not even the pastor!
Can you and I
overcome our fears and do brave things in the name of Jesus? Absolutely! With
Christ, all things are possible.
Do you trust Him?
