I've been saying this phrase a lot this month. I've said it in concerns to crossing the street, trying new foods, and asking strangers random questions we need answers to. At first, I said it as a joke at first, but the more I said it, the truer it seemed to become. Fortune often favors the bold. 

I've always loved learning about bold people. Oftentimes they are he ones that cultivate the most change. Our founding fathers, with great boldness, stood against the British and formed our free nation. Rosa Parks, in boldness, said no to the disrespect she faced-for both herself and her race- and by speaking one word, she changed the lives and heart of a nation. 

But what does the Lord say about this boldness? I know fortune isn't a thing in the Christian church, but is it true that the heart of God favors the bold? After saying this phrase a couple hundred times, I got a little worried and felt the need to do my research, and heres what I found. One writer defines boldness as the act of moving, by the power of the Holy Spirit, on an urgent conviction in the face of some threat. So if Christ is for us, as He says He is in Romans 8, and nothing can stand against Him, what right do we as Christians have to coward in the back of the room with timidity? If walking in obedience is something you are trying to work on, don't forget all the times he commanded us to not be afraid. 

Another thing I realized is that biblical boldness isn't a personal character trait, its a push from the Holy Spirit. I'm not bold because I'm loud, which Lord knows I am, but I'm bold because I listen to words of the Holy Spirit and allow them to compel me. 

People that are bold, they really are special to me. Women that are bold are even better. Way to pave the way, ladies. Because I am a woman, I allowed myself to sit in the cage of timidity too long. I was raised in a culture (c'mon South) that isn't known for allowing women to be very vocal- in the church or elsewhere. It wasn't lady-like to be bold. And I'm over it. I'm not trying to be lady-like, I'm trying to be Christ-like! The same Holy Spirit that fills your male pastor on Sunday morning, is the same all powerful Holy Spirit that fills the hearts of the women in the congregation. You have the authority, ladies! 

To prove my point, I did some light digging in the scriptures and found women that were bold-and guess what...fortune favored them. God favored them. Here's one example...

Queen Esther. She was hand picked by the King, like every one of you are. She was beautiful, she was fair, but she was a jew. When Queen Esther's cousin, Mordecai, was caught refusing to bow to one of the king's officials, a plot to have the jews put to death was authored. When Esther heard of this, and the destruction that would fall on her people, she acted out with great boldness and entered into the thrown room to plead with the king. This was dangerous for Esther. Anyone who approached the king without being summoned risked execution, but she did it anyway. I believe she was compelled by the Holy Spirit on an urgent conviction in the face of a threat. 

As 2019 fades into the past, I want the pieces of timidity inside of me to fade away too. And I hope you do, too. Boldness looks different in ever situation. Sometimes it looks like declaring truths in front of a group. Sometimes it's having a difficult conversation with someone. Sometimes it's using the talent that the Lord has given you that you've been too afraid to use. Sometimes it's walking away from a relationship or friendship that isn't healthy for you. Sometimes it's surrendering your wants and picking up His wants for you. And sometimes it's sitting at His feet when you'd rather run. Whatever it looks like for you, remember how boldly our Savior Jesus Christ came down to earth and died for you. For his sake, I pray that you are bold this year.

happy new year, friends!