I’m sitting in a coffee shop. The blinking cursor is screaming at me to write. I hear it shouting, “One word, just one, c’mon!” But I keep looking at the faces around me. I wonder what it is they believe. What do they suffer? What do their days look like? How can I pray for them?

I want a “God moment.” Not like the little throws of favor He sends my way each day. (Though I need those like breath.)  I want a burning bush moment. I long to know my direction. How can I help and what more can I do?

Who is it I’m supposed to be?

And a gentle voice whispers, “Just be brave.”

The words hit me like a burning bush, a fire from heaven type moment, and then I ask a question, “God, why are you painting this word on my brain, gently engraving it on my heart, singing it over me as I sleep? Last year it was the word mercy, and God, it was painful as You worked to rid me from my unmerciful self. Is ‘brave’ going to be the same way? Will it hurt?

The question is rhetorical. I know it will. It always hurts.

And then it heals.

As the healing takes place I become more of who it is I’m supposed to be. So, I guess I have my answers.

Who I’m supposed to be is a person striving to live the way He designed. Living wholly for Christ is living Brave. Trusting in a God unseen is brave.  Putting off anger and putting on mercy is the bravest decision I can make. Serving Him no matter what, from death, weakness and pain, to pushing the publish button on a post, booking a retreat venue in faith, or leading the #GoGive challenge.  All are steps of bravery.

To live brave means I need to be…

Bold

Ready

Available

Vying for

Everything God wants from the heart and life He’s given me.

My resolution is to live out the action in Colossians 3 better than last year, and to burn Colossians 3:16 in my heart in a brand new way.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

-Colossians 3:16

So, what about you? Do you want to live brave?

Brave is my One Word for 2014, and I’m going to do my best to serve Him deeper. What is your One Word? And what does brave mean to you?

Love,

Jennifer