Courage & Confidence – Godfidence

What is the quality that can turn a slave into a king?  According to the Cowardly Lion in the movie The Wizard of Oz, it is courage. I propose bumping it up to the next level; we need courage based on our confidence in God or “Godfidence.”

Common Theme

In the bible, courage or Godfidence is a common theme. Likely, King David, who fought Goliath, is the first to come to mind. Or, perhaps, Moses who faced off against Pharaoh and led the people through many challenges to the edge of the promised land. Joshua, sometimes over looked, provides another example of courage. Moses proclaimed the commandments of God to the Israelites, but Joshua fought the battles.  When the 12 scouts came back from exploring Canaan, Joshua said to the people, “The Lord is with us: fear them not” (Numbers 14:9, KJV). He never deviated from his loyalty to God. So, it was no surprise that God chose Joshua, after the death of Moses, to lead his people into the land he had promised. Joshua had Godfidence!

Think of how Joshua must have felt, knowing the fate of the people was now in his hands. How could he inspire faithfulness in the Israelites when Moses himself had failed? Looking over into the promised land with unknown, but certain perils and enemies, how could he not have been filled with fear? It is no wonder that God, in the opening message to the Book of Joshua, repeatedly admonished Joshua to have courage.  But the message didn’t stop there; he said “Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you” (Joshua 1:7, NIV). God was saying, “Put your faith in me and my laws.” These two directives go hand-in-hand. Have courage and be faithful. In other words, “Have Godfidence.”

Storybook Wedding

This past weekend, Lizzy and I were honored to participate in a Hallmark movie wedding celebration. Kris and Ali’s story is a storybook romance that began 14 years ago when they were in ninth grade…and, yes, I was there at the beginning. Kris was my son’s friend and Lizzy and I were the designated taxi drivers for a group of boys who were known as the Rivergate eight. They were close friends who did everything together.  They lived in the same subdivision (Rivergate) attended school together, played football together, and participated in some crazy adventures. 

Five Countries

For ninth grade, three different middle schools joined to become the ninth grade class for the Big Reds.One of the middle schools had a similar close group of girls and these girls had big plans when they met the Rivergate boys. They had homecoming dresses already picked out and reservations made. They only needed dates. These boys didn’t know what hit them.  

None of these teenage romances lasted. . . except one. When Kris and Ali met, they were star struck. Ali told her mom, Tracie, “I’ve met the person I will marry.” Of course, her mom thought, “no way.” That year was a whirlwind, but it ended with devastating news. Kris and his family were being deported. They had moved to our neighborhood from Albania, and the U.S. government was revoking their visas. The Rivergate boys took it hard, but Ali was heartbroken. Tracie tried comforting her saying, “Your heart will heal. You’ll soon forget about him and you’ll meet someone else.”  She couldn’t have been more wrong.

Kris moved first to Canada and Ali kept in contact. He moved next to Albania and Ali visited. Next it was Greece, followed by France. Counting the U.S., their romance followed Kris through five countries and Ali visited every one. Ali went to college, but her heart belonged to Kris. She graduated and became a physician’s assistant, planning for the day they would be together.

Reunited

Finally, Kris was allowed to return to the United States. Tracie became his sponsor and Kris was awarded citizenship. One month ago, his parents were allowed to return and on Saturday, he and Ali stood in a chapel, with most of the Rivergate eight in attendance, in one of the grandest buildings in the city, to exchange vows. The word their pastor chose for them was perseverance. It was a prophetic choice, because Kris and Ali had truly learned perseverance. 

Finding true love doesn’t always happen instantly and most often doesn’t require a 14 year courtship, but it does require perseverance and a little courage.  Actually, perseverance and courage are primary ingredients in Godfidence. I have learned that Godfidence is required for achieving anything worthwhile in live.  

Change Is Certain

As we face the future, we need to hold on to things that don’t change. We need a foundation on which we can build. Despite the dangers and challenges we face, the promises of God are a sure foundation. Fear is a natural reaction when faced with uncertainty. It seems that today’s world forces us to cope with greater uncertainty than ever. According to CNN: Business, “The new normal is for Millennials to jump jobs four times in their first decade out of college.” ^[i]  That’s nearly twice the number of job changes as the previous generation.  

I guess I’m ahead of my time. I’ve experienced many job changes. . . assembly-line worker, auto mechanic, teacher, instructional developer, curriculum coordinator, video producer, magazine publisher, account manager, dean, pastor. . . who knows what’s next. Each of these changes required courage. Change forces us to take on new responsibilities, make new friends, and try new things, at some of which we will not be successful. Facing change is easier if you have Godfidence.

Maybe like the cowardly Lion, you are looking for the nerve to face the future like “a lion, not a mouse.”  Take courage, have Godfidence! God’s message to us is the same as the one he gave Joshua: “I am with you and the promises I have made shall certainly be fulfilled. . . be sure to follow my commandments, without swerving to the right or the left.” With the certainty of God’s promises, we can face the future with courage. If we keep our focus, not swerving to the right or left, it doesn’t matter what changes the future may bring. What is God calling you to do?

Copyright © 2020 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Unconditional Love.

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^[i] Long, Heather, “The New Normal: 4 Job Changes By the Time You’re 32.” CNN: Business. April 12, 2016