Living Boldly
Good morning from Westminster, MD!
On Sunday morning, I had the pleasure of attending my home church, Crossroads Community Church. During his sermon Reid Robinette, the Senior Pastor and a good friend, challenged us to be bold, not because of who we are but because of who we follow, Jesus. In presenting the challenge, Reid read a prayer that the early Followers of Christ prayed when they were being attacked. Part of the prayer reads, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29, NIV) Despite being persecuted and threatened, they asked God to make them even bolder. Reid challenged us to pray the same way – to ask God to give us great boldness.
This challenge to be bold reminded me of something I felt God was telling me as I began to consider moving to Nicaragua for three years. For many years I have believed that God is up to great things in this world; that despite the bad we see around us, God is working and bringing about change for the good. What I did not always understand is my role in God’s plan. This all began to change as I explored the possibility of moving to Nicaragua. Instead of seeing myself as an outside observer, I began to understand that God wanted to me to be a part of what He was and is doing. I also began to see that I was already “in the game”, but that I needed to expand my view of God and what He might want me to do. God was asking me to be bolder.
Many times a life of adventure and excitement is one of the last things that come to mind when we think of being a Christian. This is a very unfortunate perception and, I believe, keeps many people from fully living for Christ. The truth is God has called us to be bold and to follow Him wherever He leads. Living this way lead me to Nicaragua. I cannot think of a more exciting life. Maybe it is time to rethink what it means to follow Christ. God has a plan for you and it is sure to be a great adventure if you are willing to follow. Are you?
– James Belt
In2theRiver 