"Bold Speaking" | January 19, 2025 | Ps Christina Lowery

Have you ever felt God calling you to do something that seemed way beyond your abilities? Maybe it was to share your faith with a coworker, repair a broken relationship, or step into a leadership role you felt unqualified for. If so, you're in good company. Throughout history, God has consistently called ordinary people to do extraordinary things - often leaving them feeling scared, insecure, and completely out of their depth.

Consider the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. While we remember the powerful, inspiring words that changed the course of history, what's less known is the backstory. Dr. King had prepared an entirely different speech for that day. He had worked tirelessly with advisors, even staying up until 4 AM the night before revising it. But as he began to deliver the carefully crafted address to over 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, something wasn't clicking. The words were falling flat.

That's when Mahalia Jackson, a close friend and gospel singer, shouted out, "Tell them about the dream, Martin!" In that moment, Dr. King pushed his prepared remarks aside, gripped the podium, and began to speak from his heart about the dream God had placed within him. The rest, as they say, is history.

This pivotal moment illustrates a profound truth: boldness is behavior born out of belief. Dr. King believed so deeply in the vision God had given him that when prompted, he was able to set aside his carefully prepared words and speak with a passion and authority that moved a nation.

As followers of Jesus, we're all called to this kind of bold speech. It may not be before hundreds of thousands, but God calls each of us to speak truth, offer encouragement, and share the hope we have in Christ. The question is: do we believe strongly enough in what God has shown us to step out in faith and speak, even when it's uncomfortable?

Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern repeated. God calls ordinary people to extraordinary tasks, and their initial response is almost always fear and insecurity. Moses protested that he was slow of speech when God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt. Esther hesitated to approach the king on behalf of her people. Gideon felt unworthy and afraid when called to deliver Israel. Jeremiah claimed he was too young to be a prophet. Even Mary questioned how she, a virgin, could possibly bear the Messiah.

Yet despite their fears and perceived inadequacies, each of these individuals eventually spoke and acted boldly for God. How? They chose to trust in God's sovereignty and obey anyway. They took a leap of faith, stepping out even when they couldn't see the path ahead clearly.

This brings us to a crucial truth: faith is not the absence of fear; it's obedience despite our fear. It's doing it scared, trusting that the One who calls us will equip us for the task.

In the book of Acts, we see this boldness on full display through the apostles Peter and John. These were the same men who had fled in fear when Jesus was arrested. Yet after encountering the risen Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit, they stood fearlessly before the very religious leaders who had crucified Jesus, declaring, "We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20).

What made the difference? It wasn't their own courage or ability. It was the power of the Holy Spirit working through them. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lived in them, empowering them to speak and act with supernatural boldness.

This power is available to every believer today. Romans 8:11 reminds us, "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you." When we feel inadequate for the task God has set before us, we can take comfort in knowing that it's not about our strength, but His power working through us.

So how do we tap into this boldness? How do we move from fear and insecurity to courageous action? The key lies in three things God provides to reassure and empower us:

1. His People: We need the encouragement and support of other believers. Hebrews 10:25 urges us not to neglect meeting together, but to encourage one another. When we surround ourselves with faith-filled friends who can pray for us and remind us of God's faithfulness, we find the courage to step out in faith.

2. His Promises: God's Word is filled with promises that can anchor our souls in times of uncertainty. When we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we find the reassurance we need to trust God's plan, even when it seems daunting.

3. His Presence: The Holy Spirit is not just a concept, but a very real and powerful presence in the life of every believer. When we invite the Spirit to fill us afresh, we tap into a supernatural source of courage and boldness.

As we lean into these three sources of reassurance - God's people, His promises, and His presence - we find the courage to do what He's called us to do. We discover that God always resources what He requires. If He's asking us to take a step of faith, He will provide everything we need to accomplish it.

Remember, God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Your obedient "yes" is all He needs to work powerfully through you. So the next time you feel God nudging you to speak up, step out, or take action, don't let fear hold you back. Instead, lean into His reassurance, trust His sovereignty, and take that leap of faith.

You may just find, like Dr. King on that hot August day, that when you push aside your carefully prepared script and speak from the heart of what God has shown you, lives will be changed and history will be made.