Bold Faith

https://odb.org/MY/2021/11/27/bold-faith

I often wondered how and why some people have so much boldness to preach the Gospel? Why were they able to share their faith so boldly putting themselves in harm, even going through pain and suffering, torture and imprisonment to proclaim Jesus? Or in the case of Prem Padhan who was wounded during the war to walk with a limp, God called him to preach the Gospel in the Himalaya mountains. Surely it is through our weaknesses and disabilities, we find strength and power in God and experience heaven on earth.

I think two things stand out when people of faith respond to God’s call to minister and reach out. One is that they are seldom without weaknesses and some handicap whether physically or in speech or boldness and secondly, they are usually ordinary people like you and I. Usually “unschooled” in terms of spiritual education.

During the time of Jesus, most people are unschooled and illiterate as those that are literate and educated are usually educated in matters of religion like the Scribes and Pharisees. Except for Paul who was from the latter group, the apostles amd most believers were just ordinary unschooled people.

I think that in matters of personal faith, while a bible school education will help us in the long run in ministry, too much head knowledge may well hinder us since we may be thinking and analysing too much. Often most responses in faith to God involves just volunteering and stepping out in faith without too much reasoning as the more we reason, the more we will be overcome with fear anxiety and even doubt. We should respond not without thinking at all, but without thinking too much! In corporate speak, we call this analysis paralysis – we analyse something until we are paralysed with inaction and that will be useless if God meant for us to move forward. To step out in faith means to be considered and yet we leave it to God to work, we depend on Him rather than our natural planning or ability or education and most crucially, failure should not discourage us but motivate us to try harder.

My view is that such boldness to preach, speak or reach out can only come from God. Not only the call, but also the drive and boldness to action the call. Only God can give us that and I believe if we are willing and we raise up our hands, He will give us that boldness and drive. God calls ordinary people to ministry. Education is good and important but not always the prerequisite to ministry. If we are willing, God will use us. We can upgrade ourselves gradually over time. There is no need to have to start with a seminary degree to serve God, just a willing heart and I believe God will give us the boldness and over time educate us!