Boldness in bravado is not always spirit-driven but BOLDNESS in FAITH is what can come from the Spirit pushing us past our fears into feverent functions of faith. It’s like jumping into the deep end without taking a step.  If the Spirit drives it, it’s going to be fine, still scary, but fine…

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” Paul to Timothy (2nd letter) 

Once again, God opened a door and pushed me thru it. Sure I enjoy doors for my choosing, but His choosing? Can be scary. Boldness is a balancing act of fueled faith – not a bursting like a firecracker but explosive energy driven into a mechanical steam train engine. Catch on fire and people will come watch you burn they say – so make use of the power. Firecrackers fizzle but Fire-power moves. 

I got to chat with my CEO yesterday in a video series interviewing employees who signed a pledge about acting upon diversity, equity, and inclusion in light of the racial and other unrest over the past year.  My nervousness was not with the CEO, but was with satisfying the recordings for broadcast. I knew that I had an opportunity to show caring, speak caring, be the encourager that I am, but what soundbites did they want?… It went fine, good, and fast. I could have said much more but perhaps my words succinct were better. I had to put my faith in the Lord that my faith would come out in my words. It was my LATER conversations where the door once again becomes swung open for God to push me thru. In talking about my scientific and other work writing, I can now naturally mention my spiritual blogs and use my new favorite statement: “I am WRITING MYSELF THRU THE  BIBLE”… YUP – there’s a classic pause for people show they are impressed, even if I am not trying to impress but process writing to EXPRESS. 

An interesting commentary I can make and do make about these faith conversations at work – is that FAITH is THAT POWERFUL that it’s still not officially talked about, unlike the other directives and important buzzwords of the day. I mentioned to my new friend that this written and unwritten rule shows us how POWERFUL faith discussions are.

Jesus came into the world as meek as a baby – and as BOLD as a baby – a baby filled with BOLDNESS in His meekness (His angel-overlookers must have been the best ever). In my awakening song, Come to the Cradle by Michael Card, a favorite lyric is “the trusting glance of a child” – Jesus is forever trusting when He looks to His Father wow – Jesus must have had SUCH trust to be a baby – SUCH knowledge – and yet we don’t know all what was going thru His mind. I bet Jesus was a trusting child – a trusting adolescent – a trusting adult. We must become the trusting child of God and be bold with His boldness. We must reduce our adult skepticism and trust like a child. We must know that we will be OK.
It’s a small effort on God’s part to maneuver the little things to Him which are HUGE to us. So when He is moving the mountain that is our fear, we step more and more easily into that trust. We can take baby steps and God will move the baby carriage for us. 

“Until God opens the door, praise Him in the hallway”… YUP…

Keep looking boldly. Keep BOLD faith.

Amen 
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The Little Children and Jesus

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”Luke 18:15-17https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A15-17&version=NIV

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He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And Jesus said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-4https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018%3A2-4&version=NIV;KJV

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Paul to Corinthians For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13%3A9-12&version=KJV;NIV