When Ordinary Folks Get Holy Courage
Alright now, friend, come on up here on this front porch again and settle yourself into that creaky ol’ rocking chair. Go on and flick that pesky mosquito off your knee because we’re about to wander into a truth so strong it could make a startled turkey gobbler rethink its whole life. Acts 4:13 says, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” And to deepen this truth even more, Psalm 27:1 tells us, “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?” Now that verse right there is like discovering that the scrawniest barn cat has been taking secret karate lessons behind the hay bales. And that plum changes everything.
Before the resurrection, those disciples were skittish as a squirrel that’s overloaded with acorns tryin’ to cross a four lane highway. Peter couldn’t even stand up to a servant girl. The rest of the bunch hid behind locked doors like rattled lil’ raccoons that got caught rummagin’ through the wrong trash can. They plum scattered faster than chicken hens when they git to hearin’ the ol’ rooster clearin’ his throat. Cowards. Every last one of ‘em.
But then they saw Jesus alive. Not “maybe alive” or “sorta alive” but the gloriously, unmistakably, “death could not hold Me” kind of alive. And, friend, that encounter flipped ‘em like an ol’ possum pretendin’ to play dead, except this time they came up roarin’ with courage. Peter preached and three thousand folks came running to Jesus. John stood real tall before the authorities. Stephen saw heaven open wide. Paul traveled the world like a holy tumbleweed blown by the Spirit. Warriors. Every single one of ‘em.
What made the difference? They had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 tells us so, and Psalm 27:1 reminds us why fear does not get the last word. That there real strong truth settles right on down into your soul like warm, buttered cornbread resting in a cast iron skillet.
Maybe you feel like a coward right now. Maybe your faith feels smaller than a lil’ ol’ field mouse wearin’ baby shoes. But when you remember that Jesus is alive, that He conquered death, that He stands right beside you with all authority, fear starts to melting like butter sliding right off a hot biscuit. The same Jesus who transformed fishermen into world changers is ready and willin’ to transform you too.
Father, help me remember that You are alive and with me. Give me courage that rises from Your presence. Replace my fear with boldness and my hesitation with holy confidence. Let others take note that I have been with You. In Jesus name, Amen.
Now, I do declare, friend, as you step back into your day, remember that courage ain’t something you cobble together like a crooked birdhouse that leans to the left. Courage gits to growin’ stronger when you walk with the risen Christ. It steadies you like an ol’ hoot owl perched way up high above the forest floor. It strengthens you like a towerin’ pine that has stood through many more than a hundred storms. And it reminds you that even if you feel plum ordinary, Jesus delights in turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. So, step out there with your head high. You have been with Jesus, and that plum changes everything.
With joy,
Gwen
