Bold or Reckless?

What does it mean exactly to be BOLD for God?
BOLD: 1a : fearless before danger : intrepid b : showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit 2. adventurous, free [ bold thinker]

RECKLESS: 1 : marked by lack of proper caution : careless of consequences
2 irresponsible


Remember the story of Rahab, the prostitute who hid spies from the king because the spies were from Israel, Gods chosen country?

Joshua 2:3-7 3 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: "Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land."

4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them." 6 (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

Was she bold or reckless? She KNEW God was with Israel, she knew how dangerous hiding spies was, she knew things may not go well and she asked for no conditions prior to hiding the spies.... She had knowledge and made a the choice she felt was with God. Only afterwards did she ask for protection for her family.

There are many more examples in the bible, but this story is on my mind as our sermon last night was on choices and giving your best to God. Based partly on the story of Rahab. She is listed in the hall of faith [Hebrews] for her actions! THAT IS HUGE!!!! {It seems to me like }GOD is saying, "Look here at Rahab! Her FAITH has pleased me!"

Rahab showed boldness for God! She was "fearless before danger", she showed a "fearless daring spirit"... "adventuress, free" ... hhhmmmm, free of the rules written by the world?

So as most things these days seem to with me, it brings me to the subject of adoption. Is the choice to adopt reckless or bold? Obviously each situation is different, but where do the rules of the world influence us over the power of God?

Some of the easy places this happens are FINANCES... that is HUGE. Because as in our case, we aren't just talking finances for the adoption itself, but the raising of what would be 9 children thereafter! 2 of which have very special needs, not all of which we understand the scope of ahead of time.

Another is just the inherent risk of not knowing what issues the child or children will have... one has an idea, but not the exact needs or extent. Now I realize that when one has a child by birth, this can be the case also. And again, the world says that is acceptable or better yet, not acceptable so then abortion enters the picture. And on top of that, what one risks for an infant is more acceptable to the world than what one would risk for an older child.

Then there is also the "emotional risk". In the adoption world a child is never definitely yours until the legal process if over. It is so hard to engage ones heart in this process, but yet almost impossible not to. As sometimes your heart is what pulls your through, and God is the leader your heart is following.

What other risks? Some are personal, some or universal... some that have been brought up as concerns to me are "the well being of our other children"... will they resent us for this? Can our marriage withstand the demands of a special needs child? What about when we are older? Do you want a child living with you forever? What if they are hurtful, harm the other children? How will the current children feel having to introduce a black sibling, an Asian sibling, a blind sibling, a mentally disabled sibling, esp. if that child enters the family at an older age?
These are ALL valid concerns!!!!

Emotions are NOT wrong! Ignoring them does not make them go away! And sometimes what we feel is out of our control! But I have some great news:

19When we love others, we know that we belong to the truth, and we feel at ease in the presence of God. 20But even if we don't feel at ease, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. [CEV]

God can overcome your feelings of doubt, your preconceived notions, your prejudices, your lack of resources, your lack of knowledge! Remember when you can't, GOD CAN!

I love this quote that is on the blog site of a friend of mine, I don't remember the author.

"God doesn't call the qualified. He QUALIFIES the CALLED!"

Can I get an Amen!? Doesn't that just erase your fears, bring peace to your mind, quiet you "what ifs"?, and make you want to shout "GLORY!!!!" If it doesn't my friends, check your pulse! ;)

Do you have knowledge of God and His ways? Are you in contact with Him? Do you realize that God does not work solely within the parameters set by the rulers of this world? Are you ready to be BOLD for GOD? Not reckless my friend! You have knowledge, you have His ear, you know what might happen, but you are choosing to walk into the fire and and reach for His hand!!! Walk forward in faith and embrace your heart and His. Say YES to the child GOD has pre-ordained as your son or daughter! Or if you are reading this, not looking to adopt, but wondering about another calling from GOD... say YES! He can't make the choice for you, but HE can make a way for you!!!

THAT is FAITH my friends! That is not recklessness! THAT is a fearless, daring spirit, shored up by the HOLY SPIRIT dwelling in you! THAT is BOLDNESS! GOD offers no guarantees on this earth of ease, and success in life. Quite the opposite. BUT HE is worth it!

2 Corinthians 11: 23-31

23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.

I am so excited to study BOLDNESS this morning! As I wrote I worked through the questions in my mind. I had been accused of being reckless with this adoption, and I thought it deserved my consideration. I do not see reckless here, I see BOLDNESS!

Lord make my heart more like yours everyday! Lord let me keep my eyes on you! Lord let me praise you as you give, and let me praise you as you take away! I am so thankful that you are my unchanging, always good, always present, always strong heavenly Father! Thank you for my many blessings of family, friends, church, freedom, health, and many other things. In Your Name, AMEN!