no one hands it to you

I've been thinking and praying and hoping for my one little word for 2014. I had all but settled on "brave" when I realized...

that's really not enough. 

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation. But 

take courage;

I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

"Be strong and let your heart

take courage, 

all you who wait for the LORD!"

Psalm 31:24

I do want to be brave, but I'm not sure that it's something I can just switch on or off; and, like I said, I don't think "brave" is quite enough.

Then I heard it. I recalled it--felt it even.

Take courage.

I can do brave things every once in a while, sure--but I long to be courageous. I long to have that as part of me. Deep down. At heart. 

I know, though, that courage is not something you just fall into. No one hands it to you. You don't become courageous by mistake or wake up one day and discover that it has overtaken you. 

You take it. 

You take it.

You fight for it, even.

Etsy

 "Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,

for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:6

One of my favorite characters in Scripture is Joshua. Most of my favorite people in the world remind me of him. They live with no fear of man because they know the power and sovereignty of God. They speak with confidence and courage because they know wherever they walk, the LORD has already walked before them. 

Their obedience, their faithfulness, their belief, and (yes, again) their courage can knock down walls to bring God glory.

I'm not sure what, specifically, I want to accomplish with this one little word (it's really two words--I get it), but I know I want to do that. 

I want to courageously break walls down so the Spirit can rush through and do His thing...

Be it in the quietness of a heart or with all the chaos of Jericho.

Grow a courageous heart in me, LORD. Plant it deep. I'm willing to fight for that kind of courage.

I will take it.