Be Courageous
Have you ever felt scared? I most definitely have. I was scared on my last Sunday as an NBA XPLOR resident last year, when I decided to get up in front of the congregation and sing a solo with Evan playing the guitar. But even through my fear, I did it.
Don’t stop fighting for what is right. We all have something we are passionate about, and feel very strongly about that thing. So many times, we leave it for other people to handle—we think someone else will take care of it, so we don’t have to. How can we begin to change the world, if we don’t have the courage to step up and make our voice be heard?
Every one of us has the opportunity to stand up for what we feel is right. I have had so many moments in my life where I thought I wasn’t good enough to change something, or I thought I would fail if I tried. We, as a society, have a lot of fear of failure. I am one of those people. I have feared failing at my job, my church, and the choices that I make regarding my future. Guess what? We are all going to sometimes fail; it’s just a part of life. I struggle with this concept daily. I think I always have to have it perfect, all the time. I am starting to realize that is exhausting, trying to have it all together. Nobody will ever have it all together. We can’t let the fear of failure get in the way of the potential we all have.
My time in NBA XPLOR has taught me to be courageous and stand up for what I feel is right. I have seen a lot of injustices in our world. I have seen how, on a daily basis, people are being treated unfairly. It breaks my heart to have to hear and see this, but it’s in those moments I know I have to take action. I know I can’t sit back and watch. I have to push aside my needs and wants, and fully pour everything I have into making the situation right. God has called each and every one of us to be courageous, to have courage, even when the road seems rough. Even when it seems impossible, or you are just too tired. We will most likely get tired, and yes, that is okay. But let’s not quit giving our time and talents to those who need it.
I have had the courage to take a leap of faith and do a second XPLOR year, even though I realized it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do. I have had courage to learn about social justice and take part in it. The courage to understand it and try to do something about it, living it out daily. I have the courage to live out my faith each and every day. Having courage is just one way to live out our faith. How will you be courageous?
I want to end on this verse that I feel ties in with what I have been talking about. It’s found in Isaiah 41:10: Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God: I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Lauren Frato is a 2016-17 NBA XPLOR Resident in Tucson-Marana, AZ, serving with Desert Dove Christian Church and Marana Community Food Bank.
NBA XPLOR is a 10-month service residency opportunity for young adults ages 21-30, with the purpose of empowering young adults to discern and develop a “heart for care” as they live together in simple community, engage in direct service and justice work, engage in leadership development, and discern their vocational calls to honor the various communities they are called to serve. Learn more and apply at nbacares.org/xplor.
