{You Are Brave} Doing the Thing We Don't Want to Do

There are things in life that we resist like oil resists fusing with water. 

Moments. Events. Relationships. 

Big and small new things that threaten to rattle us. We know deep in our veins that fighting it breeds consequence after consequence but our shaky hearts and wobbly self-confidence tosses out convincing arguments. 

But if we fail to press into the hard and choose to be brave, we cannot flourish or grow. 

Not an easy truth to swallow but a life-altering one to embrace. Think of those goals you have, the vision and dreams you store up in secret places of your sacred soul. Those are the monuments to be achieved by choosing your brave, surviving the nervous sweat-beeds, and facing the fears. 

Just this morning my wee little one reminded me why we must not back down from the things that make us better. 

A bundle of nerves for weeks, she confessed over and over how scared she was to start at a new school. “But baby, you are brave and kind and adored. Never forget how loved you are and how special God made you. You will do wonderful! Don’t be afraid.” 

I willed my words to change her heart but still she begged to coward from her classroom. Sure, in the parking lot she mustered a smile for me in her innocent, adorable way. But inside, her deceived bones were screaming, “You can’t do this. Be afraid. You are too shy. You aren’t enough. You need to be more.”

Because we love our Naomi so and believe big things for her, we prayed over her and kissed her and safely placed her hand in the teachers hand. We chose to help her walk into a new brave because she couldn’t do it alone. 

My baby didn't want to go, but I understand. You do too, don't you? We fight to pull back from the things that we think we cannot do. We arm wrestle God hoping to win an invisible battle but the battle has been won and we’ve already been deemed victor. Because He is Victor. And when we press into our God while pressing into our brave, we find that bravery is not about doing the brave without fear. 

Bravery is choosing to believe that the dream, the vision, the goal, weighs mightily more important than the momentary difficulty.

And the whole, "you need to be more", lie ... You and I get that too, don't we? Thinking we need to be more than we really are. 

Today, might you and I remind the enemy of our souls that that is the oldest lie in the book  - to be more than who we are - and we know it. And might we also remind him that the Mighty One has overcome his weak kingdom and given power to those of us who take hold of it, offering unbridled strength much like how the ocean sways to the moons-tide. 

Your brave might be getting up in the morning when you want to give up, or finally signing those college admittance papers, or working two jobs to support your babes, or teaching that class, or joining that team, or giving up that addiction. 

If all you do today is face your brave, that's enough. And would you take this one thing and burrow deep in your beautiful, good-enough brave soul….Your brave is not measured by human standards; it is held in grace by the hand of God. 

Hard things. We can do them. 

We need to do them.

My precious baby girl embodied me today. Oh the countless times I’ve wanted to back down and bow out when I knew I needed to move straight-lined into it. But God knows my heart is to live out what I teach them. That we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)

Bravery is beauty when beheld by our Savior.  

One last thing to tell the enemy while taking on our brave…he has lost the battle and we are not captives of him. We are free. Because bravery beckons freedom. We are freely bound as love-slaves to the lover of our souls. The one who holds our grace, our forgiveness, our redemption, and our eternity. 

So, my baby girl, she’s yours Jesus. Even now as I write this, she is sitting in school a victor stamped and sealed by you, the ultimate Victor. She is brave only because she is upheld by the one who sings over her…”do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

And you, sister, you are brave. And you, sister, are Jesus'. You are held by the one who sings over you…”do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right 
hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

P.S. Brave looks beautiful on you. 

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Going Deeper

Consider:

1. Who do you admire for their bravery? Why?

2. What is a dream you have for yourself?

3. How can you be brave today to move toward that dream?

It's here!! {A review on a book that will change our generation}

The day has come! Voices around the world are singing with joy as the pages are shared and the hearts are encouraged and the words are cherished. Finally! I get to share with you what has been one of the best-kept-secrets this year. 

The book.

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For the Love by Jen Hatmaker

Released August 18, 2015

{A review of sorts}

Truly a book of the century. One that will feel like breathe to weary lungs and laughter galore to a comics itch for funny. She does it somehow - the whole humor, Jesus, grace thing. It is her calling and it is clearly passioned in the words of this anthem book. 

If you’ve ever wondered who else cringes at leggings as pants or if there is another sister who is a little more “spicy” than “sweet” or maybe you just need to know that you are not crazy when you feel like the worlds standards for women are outrageous and unattainable…this book is for you. 

With an un-bashful honesty, Jen will make you laugh and cry from the first chapter to the last. You’ll refer to her as your BFF before you reach the second section of the book (which by the way is titled “All The people Who Live in Your House.” Hilarious and heart-warming.) And with chapter titles like “On Calling and Haitian Moms”, “Fashion Concerns”, “Thank-You Notes”, “Surving School”, and “Dear Christians, Please Stop Being Crappy”, …YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE! 

If you are a mom, single, career-woman, homemaker, baker, sales-woman, circus performer, librarian, doctor, or just a woman in general, you will not be able to put this book down. Not only because it is that good but because it is that needed. You will relate with her message and be elated with a soul-sister who “gets it”. 

Simply put, our generation needs this book. Don’t miss out. You’ll be so thankful you bought it. 

{Personal reflection}

As a recovering legalist, I’m learning to err on the side of grace in all things, with all people. I am also still familiarizing my charred bones with the meaning of freedom. Living as God made us, climbing out from the pile of “horsecrappy” as Jen would say, and embracing the beauty-grace that is fully founded in the truth that I am who I am for a very specific reason. The words penned in this book affirm that life is hard, Jesus is still the way, and we can do this together. 

But only with love as our well-worn harness. 

Vividly I recall the day I applied to be on Jen’s book launch team. The Facebook post jumped in front of me and I knew it was worth a try but I had to leave in approximately 2 minutes, 10 seconds. Merrily and without much expectation, I filled out the form. When it came to the essay section of the little form I went rogue (due to time restraint) and didn't craft a show-stopping beauty of words.

I simply said:

"I love Jesus. 

I love writing and reading. 

I love Jen Hatmaker. "

(or something along those lines)

Jesus works miracles every day because somehow my hurried typing and no-time-to-process response won me the opportunity to get her book in my hands months before it was released. Along with the other 499 precious members of the team (chosen out of 5,000 applicants), I anxiously awaited the arrival of this treasure of a book. 

But so much more took place. Shortly after my acceptance notification, there was a community formed unlike any other I’ve experienced. Women (+ 4 men ) filled the pages of our little private Facebook page DAILY. Request for prayer, jokes, fun opportunities to raise money for great causes, sharing life...it all happened with 500 strangers. 

We bonded and we changed. 

Beating in my heart is a deep desire to create community that changes the world. Small, right-in-your-place kind of community that is founded on honesty and love and commitment to people simply because they are worthy of unbridled grace. For the Love unexpectedly birthed that breed of community and gave a tangible glimpse of what it looks like to live that out. 

A vision come to life. 

A movement begun.

If ever I have been a part of something beautiful, mysterious, and world-rocking, this is high on the list. I am ever so grateful.

So when I sing the praises of this gem, look upon my words as fiercely honest and wholly true. You may get a glimpse of the glory-community we were meant to live. And I believe you will never be the same. 

Thank you Jen. For you are changing the world. 

Be you. 

Be kind. 

Love Jesus.

-Jen Hatmaker

xoxo

Chelsia

How to Burrow Your Bare-Naked Heart into the Father

Whether we know to admit it or not, we’ve all been left suddenly standing with a bare-naked heart, at some point. And if we’re being really honest, we’ll admit that it happens often.  

For me, it happens when feeling shaken and undone by things such as injustice, the horror of a thoughtless act of hate, the condemnation of another's words toward my fault-fullness or even just the life change of our recent move to a new state. 

It may be damaged pride, heartbreak or brokenness over our own brokenness, but whatever it might be can twirl us in the beautiful horror of not being able to hide. 

Those who fear being exposed, have never felt the freedom of standing naked in front of God. Author Amber C Haines pens these words in her book, Wild in the Hollow. “…I don’t have trouble coming back to the idea of nakedness before him, about being exposed and the desire to be completely known. As with Adam and Eve in the garden, I am most free when I am walking unashamed, unafraid, and wide open.” Oh how her heart-words speak the echo of my own. 

It’s these defining moments that remind us that we are not immortal and life will press into us exposing the dripping sap that lies within our hearts. The one that reveals what has taken root in the depth of us.

Left standing exposed like a tall golden dandelion in a corn field, we are left to decide how to respond to the unexpected. When we feel bare-naked with the world watching every motion of breath surging through our bodies, how will we navigate?

One of my favorite places on earth lies along the rocky shore of Lake Superior in the deep, northern woods of Minnesota. When I perch on the towering rocks near the water, I am ever aware of the danger that lies before me. Should I fall into the ice-cold waves that sound so beautiful crashing along the beach, my earthly body would likely fail very quickly. It’s temperature would cause hypothermia quicker than breathe could be exhaled. But still, there is a surging desire in me to jump into those deep blue waves that sing softly as they bore their strength with pride. I know though, that it would only cause pain. So I sit near and choose to inhale the intoxicating treasure that takes over my senses. I enjoy the peace of it. I choose to rest upon the shores and let the waves do the work while I soak in the serenity. I have to fight the urge for impulse at wading those waters. I have to be careful not to get too distracted or I’ll fall into that which I was only mean to glean from. 

In our moments of un-rest and un-peace, when we feel most unearthed, we are invited to sway to the sound of our saviors soothing song instead of rushing ahead to replace him with hastiness and phony holiness. He desires us to nestle our heavy bags that load us heavy with worry and discomfort under the strength of his will. Knowing with the full truth that only God can receive our bags and return them weightless. 

And isn't that what a soul really needs? A weightless load? 

Because even in our strength, we were made frail. Dependent on the strength found in the dead center of our makers form; his heart. His Fathers heart which spills fresh love and mercy upon us each dawn-break. 

Taking in hand the Word of truth will always be our only source of relief from all that weighs us. The truth that his burden is light, his love is big, his grace is enough - that's what our soul really longs to know. 

As David finds protection for his whole life in the lions den so we find protection from our exposure in the den of truth and love. So let us grab hold of that leather-bound-beauty Word and soak in the words. Put down the tech-screen that distracts and find our soul-food in the words that screen out the mess that entangles us. Only God can filter the seaweed on the shores of our soul. Only he can invite us to perch upon the rock eternal and breathe in the gift that his waves gift our senses. This of hope. Life. Freedom. Safety. 

When our souls are tempted to jump into the waters and take on more than we were designed to bare, when our souls wants to turn and run into the arms of self-protection, we can choose to be still and wait upon the Lord. We can be still, and allow him to fight for us. Knowing that when the time comes for us to move fresh-forward, he’ll usher us into that which he was already preparing for us. 

Just as a baby burrows into his mothers breast to be soothed by the heartbeat of his life-giver, so we can burrow into our Father’s will, trusting that his strength is our life-giver. Breathe in the whisper of his words, his truth, and allow life to be given as you sit upon the shores of his plan. Trusting that standing naked and known is a wonder-beauty to behold. 

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Going Deeper

Consider reflecting on these questions:

1. What makes you feel exposed and vulnerable?

2. What does it look like to trust God in that area?

3. Choose one trusted friend to pray with you over this area.

Do Not Fear the First (on new calling & the 1st day of a new job)

Change can spin our tails around in furious unknown circles. 

Or it can gloriously grab tight to our ankles and gift us firm footing - even in the midst of the swirling and whirling of it’s nature of unfamiliar. 

Dawn broke. 

The alarm sounded like golden razors to my ears. It’s a beautiful morning both from the breath-pausing sunrise and the new beginning of a new job. It’s the day we’ve been planning for, waiting for, expectant of - for far more years than many knew. It’s the day that countless prayers and pleads to our God collided with a fresh start of tangible blessing. 

Steamy shower-room wafted sweet smells through our humble home. I, sitting on our crisp, white couch facing the window that grants us peace of fields, open the Word praying for truth to jump off the pages and breathe new life into our new life here. Into this new chapter.

The ironed clothes were fixed perfectly on his strong body, the new belt fastenened, the hairs all in place, and I, with a gaze of wonder, starred into my perfectly imperfect man’s eyes and reassured him that today was a day that he is worthy of. 

Because God called him to it. Because God orchestrated it. Because God. 

We nestled on that crisp, white sofa with the living bread in my hand and the physical fueling bread in his, and I read Jeremiah 1. 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

We marveled at the knowing that God knows us, just as he knew Jeremiah. He formed us - formed you - with a living hand that guides only with purpose and care. 

We read forward soaking in the familiar passages, filled with a new sense of child-like wonderment as if we’d never scanned these word with our hearts in past…

“Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 

Jeremiah’s honesty is the same honesty that pours out of us when we face something bigger than us. The new change brings old feelings of inadequacy and a wondering of our worth. Are we capable? Are we able? Can we stand under the weight of the change of it all? 

Will I fail?

Hand in hand we candidly processed the realness of the real fears that can shake us and immobilize us. 

Suddenly, our eyes see the verses that follow. Struck with awe we breathe-in God’s perfect way of responding with the old words that never lose trend…

“Do not be afraid.” 

Oh how our souls need us to re-plant this root deeper than any fear. 

Because the God of the universe spins and weaves us together with the unshakeable truth that fear is a liar. It is only when we’ve grown from our youth that we hear the voice of the world louder. The one that says we aren’t enough. But the venom of fear is no match for God’s truth. 

The antidote of fear is God. 

The antiserum is love. 

“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land - against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land.”

Having humbled ourselves before the throne of God, humility is what we prayed. A leader must be humble. Therefore, my man must be humble as he leads in this new place. Leading well means taking the cue from the man who leads our souls into eternity. Pouring out wisdom and discernment means soaking in wisdom and discernment from the source. And so we prayed that he would say what he is commanded infused with abundant grace. As honey drips from the honeycomb may my groom drip life through his leadership. 

So grateful for this job, for this season in life, my man stood up with a courage that makes my knees weak and my heart swoon. There he stood, ready to walk out the door a warrior in the army of God. There is no safer place for a wife than to stand tucked under the leadership of a husband who is lead by Jesus. 

“Do not be afraid.”

At there it is. The promise that makes change feel like possibility. The promise that takes ordinary men and women and births them extraordinary. 

That promise is for you sweet friend. When change comes. When possibility arrises. When the future shifts and God calls you deeper - the promise “Do not fear.” gives you wings to confidently respond…

Yes.

I Will Go. 

I Will Take the Call.

Stand tall by falling to your knees and praise the one who formed you, who goes before you, and who appoints and anoints those he calls. 

I tip-toed my tickling toes to the door and stared out the tiny peep-hole meant to give a glimpse of what’s outside our four walls of home. I watched his sway as he walked to his car. Amazing. Pure joy is a wife’s heart when her husband walks straight into the will of God. The good, perfect, will of God. 

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Going Deeper

1. What new thing is God calling you to today, or this season?

2. How has fear paralyzed you?

3. Recount three times you took a leap of faith and God was faithful.