Brave the Deep

A part of me has always wanted to go scuba diving in the ocean.

To see the beautiful array of coral and fish

To play with the friendly dolphins

To experience the underwater world

But my desire to venture into the depths has been largely overshadowed by my fear of what lies beneath.

I could run out of air and drown.

SHARKS!!!  (Isn’t that reason enough?)

The water pressure could crush me.

Yeah, yeah, I know. Those excuses have about a 3% chance of happening. 

But, c’mon, that’s still a very real possibility.

And I don’t typically do things that I’m not sure 100% sure are going to work out.

Do you?

Personally, I like to play it safe.

But, I have been feeling a slight nudge in my Spirit lately to go deeper.

You know what I mean.

Like God is saying, “ You are living too safe. I have so much more for you. Jump in . Dive down. I want you to throw off your fears and live reckless with your faith. BRAVE THE DEEP."

I’ve never been what one might call the “brave” type.

I like my life in definite terms. My future to be clearly outlined.

Give me a set of rules, a list of objectives, something concrete...and I’ll  gladly come along.

But to move with the wind of the Spirit, not sure where He might lead me...that’s just plain scary.

Do you know what SCUBA stands for?

Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus

An oxygen tank allows the person to breathe, explore, and swim around freely in the aquatic atmosphere.

I find this such a great analogy for the Christian life.

With Jesus we can move around with freedom in unfamiliar territory.

We have our own breathing machine….the breath of Jesus...to keep us from drowning.

We have access to the source of life...the only way to live without fear...at all times.

He is our Scuba tank!

When I recognize that my ability to brave the deep is not dependent on how much I can do on my own but on the very presence of Jesus Christ living within me, then I feel empowered to conquer this fear.

I can go beyond my very real and very daunting limits by allowing the Holy Spirit to navigate the waters for me.

He wants to take us to a deeper level of trust and intimacy with Him.

But we have to let go of our fear...and allow Him to be our oxygen tank.

Unlike the physical tank that Scuba divers use, the breath of Christ is always available...it never runs out.

He can keep us from crumbling under the pressure of a rapidly changing environment.

He can keep us from being eaten alive by the sharks of social media, negativity, or unforeseen circumstances.

He can keep us from drowning due to personal lack or insecurity or past mistakes.

Because He is the breath of life, the conqueror of fear, the never-changing One.

What are you waiting for?

This is your chance to go somewhere you've never been before.

Let God lead you into uncharted waters.

Let's brave the deep together.

How Loud is Your Roar?

COURAGE
-(noun) mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty

What exactly is courage? Is it not being afraid at all? OR... is it being afraid but facing the fear and doing it anyway?One of my fave Bible teachers, Joyce Meyer, says that sometimes we just have to "Do it afraid."I love that!

There are plenty of things in this world to be afraid of, aren't there?What are you afraid of?

We have a fear epidemic in the world today, ladies!
And all because we don't know the power that lies within us. COURAGE!!!

Joshua 1:9(msg) says, 

"Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

According to this verse, courage is a command. 

That means we can do it !

God doesn't ever tell us to do something that we cannot do.

And He is with us the whole time.

I feel braver already! 

There are people in this world who need you to be brave for them. 

There are lost, hopeless, helpless, poor, abandoned, crippled, abused, lonely, orphaned, and distraught people who don't know HOW to be brave. 

I don't know how to be brave!

Yes, you do Beautiful Warrior. 

Christ in you is all the courage you need. 

Here are just a few courageous women to inspire you!

HELEN KELLER - became deaf and blind at 19 months old from an illness. She became a world famous speaker, author of 11 books and advocate for  people with disabilities! She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 and raised a lot of money for The American Foundation for the Blind!

CORRIE TEN BOOM- helped many Jews escape persecution during the Nazi Holocaust of World War II! She was imprisoned for it but eventually released due to a clerical error. She wrote a famous book, "The Hiding Place" ,and all the Jews she hid except one survived! 

QUEEN ESTHER- orphaned as a young girl, raised by her Uncle and chosen to be the King of Persia's bride! Her race was going to be eradicated if she didn't act. She spoke up for the Jewish nation without an invitation into the King's chambers and could have been killed! Her bravery saved her people!

HARRIET TUBMAN- an African-American woman born into slavery during the American Civil War. She escaped and rescued more than 300 slaves using a network of safe houses called the Underground Railroad! She then worked for the Union Army and helped to free more than 700 slaves! 

This is just a short list of women that have made history due to their obedience to walk out their calling with courage! Florence Nightingale, Mother Theresa, Catherine Booth and many more! Look them up! Their stories will inspire you and motivate you to "DO IT AFRAID!" 

What is it God is asking you to do?

If you're silent or take a back seat, then what? 

Someone else will be used to fulfill that calling. 

God's plan will come to pass...with or without you!

But don't you want to be one of the women who said YES!?

I know I do.

I've said no for too long.

Saying no instead of yes may seem safer.

Staying instead of going may be easier.

Silence instead of speaking up may be more comfortable.

BUT...here's the truth!

You risk becoming hardened to the harshness of this world.

You risk ignoring the needs right in front of you. 

You risk becoming disheartened and losing hope!

Isn't that scarier than facing your fear and just doing it?

For me, it is. 

I don't want to be quiet.

I don't want to sit down.

I don't want to be still.

God is calling us to something great, ladies! Won't you heed the call?

Our lives are meant to bring Him glory.

That's why we're here.

So, harness that power within you and be brave today, mighty woman of God.

Someone, somewhere needs your voice, your hands, your song, your prayers!

Let me hear you roar!