Brave
Our council president sent many of us an email this morning saying, "I had submitted a devotion for the book that was done a few months ago at RLC. For some reason it got misplaced and was never printed. Since I am cleaning out my computer at 1:30 a.m. I decided to send it on to you..." Her devotion was based on the Acts 7 text that reads,
55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look”, he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
Her devotion was on bravery and I couldn't help but to begin to sing the song with my coffee in hand by Sara Bareilles, "You can be amazing, you can turn a phrase into a
weapon or a drug... I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you be brave." And after my little lip sync performance at 5 a.m. was over, I returned to her words that challenged us.
Here is an excerpt:
Would we be that brave? I would like to think I would have been; talking about Him and sharing all of my experiences with Him. And yet now, when we no longer have to worry about being stoned by a crowd, or being dragged before the rulers of the day, how often do we talk about Him? Do we pray out loud in restaurants? Do we share stories of our faith with friends and family, much less strangers? Do we invite others to our worship services and church activities? Many of us are not “allowed” to discuss religion in our workplaces, in order to avoid offending someone. Does this stop us from proclaiming our love of God in other venues and ways? Let us be brave, and definitely not ashamed to give God our glory and share the good news of Christ and his kingdom.
The word brave is defined as, "ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage." The word courage from the latin means, "to lead with heart." Both interesting as it relates to our faith and telling others about it. That to be brave - you must lead with your heart. Many times when we think of bravery or courage we think that it means that we should have no fear and we become extras in Mel Gibsons Braveheart movie. However it is the complete opposite. Fear and trembling and bravery and courage are not mutually exclusive. Some of the bravest people throughout history have done things shaking in their boots.
The same can be true in sharing our faith stories. It's hard to walk across the room or even sit with people you love and trust and share the greatest story ever told with each other. It's hard to talk about how Christ has touched your heart and guided your steps. And that is ok. Anytime in our lives when we are LEADING WITH OUR HEART we are vulnerable and that can be a little scary. However, finding ways to share your faith is important and it feeds not only the person but also yourself.
I love the quote, "preach the Gospel at all times and sometimes use words." When sharing your faith you don't have to pull out your Bible and sermonize someone. But you can share your faith with how you handle situations, practice FORGIVENESS, demonstrate mercy, sharing resources, worshipping faithfully and yes, even inviting people to worship with you. All of that and so much more are ways to be BRAVE and unashamed. One of the things that I noticed about Sara Bareilles song and the word, brave is the word RAVE is in it. So with our council president, I invite you to RAVE about the thing that brings you joy! RAVE about your faith! RAVE about that thing that gives your peace. RAVE about the ONE who loves you and others. RAVE RAVE RAVE...
So as the lyrics go...
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you RAVE
AND that is all it means to be BRAVE.
love and light
Rev. Imani N. Dodley
55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look”, he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
Her devotion was on bravery and I couldn't help but to begin to sing the song with my coffee in hand by Sara Bareilles, "You can be amazing, you can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug... I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you be brave." And after my little lip sync performance at 5 a.m. was over, I returned to her words that challenged us.
Here is an excerpt:
The book of Acts follows the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It continues the stories of the disciples; their gifts and their persecutions. All twelve were imprisoned at one time, but released by an angel of God. Then Peter himself was arrested by Herod and imprisoned, but he also was rescued by an angel of God. Many, including Paul were taken to court to defend their beliefs. But Stephen was the first disciple to be martyred. All of this was due to their faith in God and in Christ Jesus. The followers of Christ were very brave to remain steadfast in their faith after He was crucified and died and seemingly left them.
Would we be that brave? I would like to think I would have been; talking about Him and sharing all of my experiences with Him. And yet now, when we no longer have to worry about being stoned by a crowd, or being dragged before the rulers of the day, how often do we talk about Him? Do we pray out loud in restaurants? Do we share stories of our faith with friends and family, much less strangers? Do we invite others to our worship services and church activities? Many of us are not “allowed” to discuss religion in our workplaces, in order to avoid offending someone. Does this stop us from proclaiming our love of God in other venues and ways? Let us be brave, and definitely not ashamed to give God our glory and share the good news of Christ and his kingdom.
The word brave is defined as, "ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage." The word courage from the latin means, "to lead with heart." Both interesting as it relates to our faith and telling others about it. That to be brave - you must lead with your heart. Many times when we think of bravery or courage we think that it means that we should have no fear and we become extras in Mel Gibsons Braveheart movie. However it is the complete opposite. Fear and trembling and bravery and courage are not mutually exclusive. Some of the bravest people throughout history have done things shaking in their boots.
The same can be true in sharing our faith stories. It's hard to walk across the room or even sit with people you love and trust and share the greatest story ever told with each other. It's hard to talk about how Christ has touched your heart and guided your steps. And that is ok. Anytime in our lives when we are LEADING WITH OUR HEART we are vulnerable and that can be a little scary. However, finding ways to share your faith is important and it feeds not only the person but also yourself.
I love the quote, "preach the Gospel at all times and sometimes use words." When sharing your faith you don't have to pull out your Bible and sermonize someone. But you can share your faith with how you handle situations, practice FORGIVENESS, demonstrate mercy, sharing resources, worshipping faithfully and yes, even inviting people to worship with you. All of that and so much more are ways to be BRAVE and unashamed. One of the things that I noticed about Sara Bareilles song and the word, brave is the word RAVE is in it. So with our council president, I invite you to RAVE about the thing that brings you joy! RAVE about your faith! RAVE about that thing that gives your peace. RAVE about the ONE who loves you and others. RAVE RAVE RAVE...
So as the lyrics go...
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you RAVE
AND that is all it means to be BRAVE.
love and light
Rev. Imani N. Dodley
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