I didn’t realize cleaning off that old bulletin board I wrote about last week would yield so many life lessons. Here are two more:

I don’t remember exactly what was going on in my life when I cut those quotes out of a magazine and pinned them in a place of prominence on that board. I think I was looking for courage to do something, maybe courage to make a move either literally or figuratively, or say something that needed to be said to someone.

They aren’t Bible verses. They didn’t come from a great sermon or commentary. But I believe they reflect some pretty important Biblical principles.

Courage. Obedience. Faith.

God wants us to be fearless in the pursuit of the things He wants us to do. Sometimes He wants us to step off those ledges of faith and believe that He’s going to take care of us when the outcome is unknown.

This morning those quotes made me think of the story of Esther, and how Mordecai believed she was placed in that place, in that time, for God’s plan to rescue the Jews to unfold. She had a choice. She could take the risk, or she could allow fear to cost her the destiny God had for her.

For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come into the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

God hasn’t called me to rescue a nation. But there are things I’m praying about. Things that could be risky and scary (to me, anyway) and make me wonder if I’m up to the task. And if God says to step out in faith, I can’t let fear cost me my destiny.

Or, in Biblical terms, I can’t let fear make me miss out on being right in the center of God’s will for my life.

I may play a very small part in God’s kingdom. But if I don’t play that small part well and God has to get His will done some other way, I’ll be the one who misses out on the blessing. God may ask me to take risks and step out in faith and be obedient when it’s uncomfortable or scary or uncertain.

But the greatest risk may be not taking one.

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24