Fearless and Humble: Not One Without the Other

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Working my way through Women’s Tops and Jackets at my favorite thrift store, I prayed, “Lord, change me from the inside out.”

Out loud. I prayed it out loud. Softly, yes, but definitely not just in my head.

I wondered who heard, besides God that is.

He did because I looked up and there was Pastor Jerry in the “Book Room”–a dangerous place for Pastor Jerry – his wife has put him on “Book Room” Quarantine. (I know this about him and about her.) But God knew I needed him right next to Women’s Tops and Jackets.

And since he may have heard my soft-but-definitely-not-just-in-my-head prayer and plea, I walked up to him and said, “Hi, I just asked God to change me from the inside out.”

“That’s a good prayer, Sue.”

“Well, I need that prayer, Pastor. I’m struggling with this tension: When I have self-confidence, does that mean I’m not relying on God? I WANT TO RELY ON GOD–I DON’T WANT TO BE PROUD. [I said it in all caps.] I don’t want to be proud, but I do want to be confident in what God’s given me to do.”

Pastor Jerry got it. (I like a Pastor who can handle ALL CAPS.)

“Here’s what you do,” he began. (I like a Pastor who knows what I’m talking about.)

“Here’s what you do,” he continued, “you are humble before God and fearless before the world—not one without the other. Psalm 46.” (I like a pastor who backs up his words with Scripture.)

Okay, then. Humble before God. Fearless before the world. Psalm 46.

Two things.

I hold my head high before the world; and bow my heart wholly before my Lord. Two actions. Not one without the other.

God is a safe place to hide,
ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in sea storm and earthquake –Psalm 46:1,2 MSG

Humble. Fearless. How do I do both?

When asked to speak to a group of women, I run to God for safety, but go out onto the stage.

I’m prompted to invite a new neighbor (and their four kids) for dinner, I beg God’s help–but call out my car window while driving by their clan, and set a date for a week from Saturday.

Whenever I’m told I need to rewrite my book proposal (again), I tuck myself in Jesus, and go to the computer and start (again.)

Humble before God, Fearless before the world.

God made me uniquely His. He’s given me strengths–and you, too–and He gets a kick out of watching us use them.

Last week our middle daughter texted me: “Mom, your training paid off last night at a dinner party. I asked the guest a great leading question, and everyone enjoyed the conversation from that one question. I learned that from you.”

Great job! I got a kick out of her using her gifts because I helped give these gifts to her. I loved that story just like God loves my stories of living out of the gifts He’s given me. They give Him pleasure. Can there be any greater delight than to give God delight? I don’t think so.

Reminds me of the Olympian Eric Liddell’s statement:

I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.

I love Eric’s self-awareness. He knew he was fast. He also knew his speed came from God. And when he ran, he gave God pleasure.

Humble before God. Fearless before the world.

Here’s where you can start:

• Are you self-aware enough to know your strengths?
• Are you brave enough to say them out loud?
• Do you revel in His gifts to you?
• Do you know God delights in watching you use those gifts?

It’s taken me 20 years into adulthood—from age 20 to 40–to know myself. And now the next 20 to go on ahead in those strengths—humble and fearless–with some terror, occasionally and with pure delight, often.

God is a safe place to hide,
ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in sea storm and earthquake –Psalm 46:1,2 MSG

Prayer for your day:

Lord, I want to be changed from the inside out. I humble myself before you and want to be fearless before man, all day long. Thank You and here I go—here’s hoping You get a kick out of all I do. Amen.

About the Author: Sue Donaldson

Sue Donaldson speaks and writes to connect women to one another and to God. She and her husband, Mark live on the Central Coast of California and have raised three semi-adult daughters (which means she’s always at the bank or on her knees.) Sue blogs at www.welcomeheart.com and is a frequent speaker for women’s events.  Visit Sue Pinterest!