When I was in middle school, there was one security guard that everyone liked. He always greeted me with a cheerful smile, asked me about my soccer games, and even brought treats for people’s pets. While there was nothing particularly special about his job, the way that he served others amid the ordinary was so radical that everyone couldn’t help but see Jesus shining in Him.
As I was reading Acts 4:13, I was instantly drawn to the power of a simple verse. It says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
In this chapter of Acts, religious leaders attempted to silence Peter and John for sharing their testimonies about Jesus. Instead of cowering down, they began boldly proclaiming the Gospel. The word utilized to illustrate the apostles’ courage translates to a Greek name called parrhesia. It means to speak freely without any reservations and possess fearless confidence. Each time it is used in the Bible, it refers to the assurance we have in Yahweh’s faithfulness, the freedom we’re endowed with to enter into His presence, and the faith we obtain to share the Good News.
Honestly, there are several instances where I don’t feel bold or brave at all. Sometimes I question if what I am doing will actually leave a tangible impact, or if I’m not doing a good job when I’m telling others about Christ. If we allow doubt to take root in our souls, it’s easy to feel discouraged as we live for Jesus day by day. Still, what stood out to me about the book of Acts is that the Bible doesn’t depict the apostles as skilled or exceptional- instead, various translations describe them as common, uneducated, and inexperienced. Ordinary people, just like you and me, are the perfect vessels to magnify God’s extraordinary power at work in us.
There is a well-known saying in the church: “Your mission field is exactly where your feet are planted.” Although I’ve heard it on several occasions, it fills me with hope each time.
As you’re playing sports, your teammates can see something different about you through your actions and attitude.
As you enter your classroom, your classmates can see something different about you through the way you speak and the conversations you choose to have (and most often, avoid).
As you spend time with your closest friends, they can see something different about you in the way you love them and selflessly serve their needs before your own.
These individuals might not know exactly what it is that sets you apart, and that’s okay. This is the moment that God calls us to boldly take a step of obedience and point others back to Him.
As I’ve grown closer to God, my longing to spread His love only expanded. I’m really excited to begin crafting words and creating resources that I pray will be an encouragement to others. Unfortunately, I often become so focused on doing the Lord’s work that I neglect to simply rest in His presence. He gently shows me that while ministry is crucial, there is no substitute for knowing Him intimately and personally. Nothing will ever replace the time I spent learning from Him and sitting at His feet. As I intentionally hide His Word in my heart and draw near to Him, my desires naturally shift to align with His perfect purpose.
Inward dedication leads to outward soul transformation. The countless times the disciples spent privately learning at Jesus’s feet were publicly evident to those around them, even to the toughest skeptics.
The factors that we perceive as ordinary are sacred in the kingdom of heaven. It is no coincidence Jesus called the unwanted, commonplace fishermen to become fishers of men.
For the girl who feels like she can never outrun her past, God is allowing the very story that brought you hopelessness to be a testimony of hope to those around you.
For the student who is exhausted from the monotonous challenges of school, God enables others to see the blazing light of Jesus in you amid a place of great darkness.
For the frustrated teenager who is longing to make a difference in the kingdom of heaven, God is using your life to powerfully touch souls in ways you can’t even fathom.
Like Peter and John, we will encounter fierce doubts and strong opposition. While I will never know what tomorrow holds, I’m choosing to fix my eyes on the One who equips me with boldness and wisdom. Today and every day, I’m embracing my mundane moments and daily struggles. These irreplaceable experiences propel me toward intimacy with Jesus and provide the incredible opportunity to share the Gospel right in my sphere of influence.
