Courage

I am reading my devotional and as I read it,  I am reminded of my purpose and place.

My devotion is about courage and standing firm.
"There are souls in the place of fear and desperation. Be always willing and ready to stand with them in that place and share your faith and courage."

When I read that, I think of myself. There are times when I don't want to stand.  I don't want to stand in this world and be pounded by reality and hurt and lies and the real world. I don't want to live in this hurtful world and stand with all that. I want to run, run home to my safe house, my warm bed, my relaxing back yard. I want to hang out at the beach and if by chance I meet someone struggling, then and only then when God leads that person into my life, then I will minister to them.  I want to get on my bike and ride and not think of this cruel world. But I was put in it for a reason... and that is to stand for the weak, to smile, to give an encouraging word, hope, help.
When I want to quit because it's toooo hard. I am reminded, I am here for a reason.

1Cor 9:22 
"To the Weak I become weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." 

While I surely am not gonna save anyone, I am reminded of Danny's sermon Sunday


"Who will be better because of me?" 

If I am not in the world.. no one. If I hide in my home, yeah, I can make my kids better, and that is truly something I long for, spending more time, teaching and ministering to my kids, but God made us to be in the world, not of the world but in it and I pray I can help those along the way, if nothing more, but to have hope...... 


Then there is Paul, he had it figured out. There was no quitting for Paul, even when he had an out, he chose to continue, why?........ because he understood his goal

"Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News". Phil 1:27 NLT

Lord, please give us the courage to stand, to walk in this world with your strength as we know we cannot do anything of ourselves, but we can do all through you. 

Do you know your goal? Do you understand it? 
Do you have that hope? If not you can have it...