I Believe In You

i've been thinking about courage for the past couple of days.  it's actually something that i've contemplated much of during my own spiritual journey, especially over the past couple of years.  courage is something to think about, but more than that, it is an action.  and it involves the heart. even though i'm a female, one character of the Bible that i relate a ton with is David.  i think we are all Davids.  and we all touch pieces of his journey in some way at different parts of our own.  one reason i am drawn to a character such as David's is because he learns to just be real with God.  he struggles.  he mourns.  he rejoices.  he is creative.  he worships.  he is passionate.  he is vulnerable.  he shows us his truth, his reality.  it is powerful.  he is also faced with battles.  he is weak.  his trust in the Lord grows and grows.  he is a fighter.  somewhere along the way he finds courage.  his strength looks different than what the world defines strength as.  his story intrigues me so much. 

a person of courage has a brave heart.  there are so many reasons that each of us is called to be brave.  there are many things we face daily.  and at the core--we are not strong alone.  we are strong in the Lord.  the word for heart in french is cœur.  in spanish it's corazon.  in latin, cor.  greek translates it as kardia.  so many other feelings and actions have "cor" at their root--->encourage, discourage, courtesy, core, cordial, etc.  

there are many ways to embrace courage.  some of us are looking for our real heart.  some of us are facing lifelong battles.  some of us don't believe in ourselves or the power of God within us.  some want to give up.  some have no hope.  some want to face something huge in their life that they don't think they could ever overcome.  some don't believe that God cares.  some give in to the negative voices inside--i'm the first to say i do.  and honestly, i've had to learn courage and live it out.  it's a daily exercise and discipline for me.  and i know i can't do it alone.  i need to do it joined with God.  and, on top of that---i don't want to do it alone.  

some of the definitions of courage that i found are: 

the state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery. the power or quality of dealing with or facing danger, fear, pain.  the confidence to act in accordance with one's beliefs. to nerve oneself to perform an action. a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear.  spunk, heart, spirit.  valor.  fearlessness.  boldness. 

one of my favorite story moments in the Bible is when Boaz tells Ruth that she is an eshet chayil.  he sees her.   he knows what is going on.  he knows her story.  and he affirms her trust and the action of obedience she takes.  "chayil" is a certain form of the word "valor" that is only seen three times in the Bible describing a woman.  most of the times it describes soldiers or those in battle.  so---this is a unique descriptive word he uses with Ruth---he sees her chayil--and he calls it out and names it.  the other places this form is used is in Proverbs.  i have pondered this word and its meaning for the past year on and off.  and it means a ton to me.  and i admit----i look for it in women---and in men.  this is the courage of David.  this is the character of the heart of God--that trusts, that is connected, that works towards discipline to obey, that loves---and that is brave.  this courage, this noun, acts.  valiently.  because it believes that this character, this heart of God that we're after, this discipline and obedience---are worth fighting for.

this week i have watched a few people i really care for step forward in courage.  i am so proud.  friends, you are not alone.  God has your back.  so do i.  i see your valor.  

last weekend i was at a beautiful spa.  what a huge blessing.  at one point i was sitting next to a roaring fireplace paging through a book of art.  i came across the following quote and i loved it.  i'll leave you with it.  

"Courage, then, once again!  Take up your brush once more and give your imagination free rein.  I believe in you."  -Émile Zola