A – Adventurous Courage

Courageous Christian Living

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity,

but of power and love and discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7 nasb

Adventurous Courage is for the one who seeks exciting experiences; a curious risk-taker; sometimes, but not always involving danger

I slipped the straps over my shoulder, tightened the belt around my waist, and took my first ever steps onto the Appalachian Trail relying my husband’s experience and the map book in his pack. I trusted the trail markers, the blazes painted on trees, boulders, or attached to man-made posts to lead us. I depended upon the successful journeys of those who had traveled these hills before us. But inside, I was afraid…

…afraid of the unknown... the unfamiliar... 

the unpredictable… going outside of my comfort zone.

So, before leaving our Midwest home, I gathered as much courage as possible because I do love an adventure. I am a bit of a risk-taker, a curious explorer. My favorite school subject was/is history of the seafaring explorers, the Mayflower pilgrims, and the pioneer homesteaders. I admire their bravery. I aspire to have such courage of my own as I wonder what’s around the corner, down that road, on the other side of the mountain.

However, when God told Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and to the Promised Land, I might have moaned like the Hebrew children when the going got tough, but would have also been jealous of Joshua and Caleb who explored and “spied out the land of Canaan.” (Numbers 14)

Curious risk-takers and courageous adventurers wrestle with faith and fear, determination and doubt.  And that’s why God told Joshua, Moses’ successor, at least 8 times to “be strong and courageous” as he prepared to lead the more than a million Israelites across the Jordan River (Numbers 26; Deuteronomy 31; Joshua 1 & 10:25).

As I continued hiking the trail in a light rain my backpack felt heavier and heavier, I feared and doubted my ability and decision to step out on this adventure… so I clung to God’s promise to  give me the courage and strength to do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I lifted my eyes upward from where my true help comes… and because when my head was raised up breathing became easier.

So, "look up, Adventurous One"... and even the not-so-adventurous ones. Seek your help and courage from the One who made Heaven and Earth as you travel out of your comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory... because we all must make the trip.

“I will lift up my eyes

to the mountains;
From where 

shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who  made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 nasb