The Small, Brave Things
From Power Stance to Gentle Courage
Recently, while going through some old sermons, I was pleasantly surprised to find a children’s message that started with a movement exercise. As the children gathered at the front of the sanctuary, I invited them to join me in a power stance.
Standing with feet hip width and your arms at your sides. Palms facing out or place hands on hips. See how tall you can stand! Engage the muscles in your arms and legs. Gently lift the chest and open your heart to the sky. Take a big breath and settle into this posture…
Are you starting to feel strong and courageous as you stand this way?
This is a fun pose to help build confidence as your body sends signals to your brain that it’s feeling strong and courageous.
Stay in your power stance for just a little longer and bring to mind someone you think is courageous. Maybe it’s a superhero, a real-life hero, someone in your family or a friend.
Feel free to shout out their name, then gently release the stance.
We can come back to this exercise any time, especially when we don’t feel brave and need a little reminder. Because feeling brave may not always look like a power stance.
Our bible verse for today, also reminds us that when we are afraid, we can take a deep breath and rest assured that we are never alone. God goes with us.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
As I contemplate the idea of courage as an adult, it strikes me—why doesn’t courage always feel the way we imagine it should? It doesn’t always look like a power stance; strong or steady or brave in the ways we might expect.
So often, the moments in our lives when we are being courageous are also the moments when we feel afraid; uncertain about what lies ahead, anxious about our capacity to endure, carrying sorrow, grief, doubt, or trembling in the face of the unknown. And yet, here we are friends—showing up and still taking the next step. 🤍
Researcher and writer Brené Brown speaks of this very tension as the deep and unbreakable bond between courage and vulnerability. She reminds us that “Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” (Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience)
When we think about the people in our world, and those in our lives who are strong and courageous, our minds often turn to the great and dramatic acts of bravery that seem almost superhuman. Beautiful stories of heroism and advocacy that change lives and leave an impact.
These people and their stories can be inspiring as well as motivating. They can also leave us feeling small, as we question our very capacity for the courage we value.
Author and creative director, H. Jackson Brown wrote, “Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something.”
During this season of Lent, as we walk with Jesus to the cross, we witness some dark moments. Jesus in anguish and despair, pleading with God to take away what he knows is coming—incomprehensible suffering.
On the cross, feeling utterly alone, looking weak and defeated, Jesus cried out the opening verse of Psalm 22, My God My God why have you forsaken me?! And crying out one more time before his final breath he gave up his spirit.
At first glance, we perceive this as a picture of weakness—death has won. Yet, in this act of complete vulnerability, we also see the greatest measure of courage as death becomes life. This is the Image of Love.
God’s command in Joshua is a compassionate assurance that God has carried the weight and still carries the weight with you. Your feelings and this tension are not weakness; it’s not bad or something to be fixed.
To be human is to be vulnerable. To be human is to be courageous.
Sometimes courage looks like getting the kiddos fed, dressed and to school on time (mostly on time)!
Sometimes courage looks like a 1 AM feeding and baby snuggles.
Sometimes courage looks like taking a walk outside and breathing some fresh air.
Sometimes courage looks like resting, when the world is going on around you.
Sometimes courage looks like showing up at another doctor’s appointment.
Sometimes courage looks like waiting.
Sometimes courage looks like running late and pausing to listen to another’s story and struggle.
Sometimes courage looks like a hot mess with tears running down the face.
Sometimes courage looks like peace, while whispering prayers under the breath.
Sometimes courage looks like saying goodbye.
Sometimes courage looks like beginning again.
When your heart feels tender and unsure, perhaps courage looks like a vulnerable faith that keeps going, trusting that God goes with you.
Please take a moment and add what courage looks like for you right now…🤍
When I was sick, my mind raced with worries about mortality and my overwhelming desire to stay alive for our daughters, who were only 10 and 7 at the time.
During my initial appointment with the surgeon, a nurse was assigned to me. She carefully explained what I should expect and provided resources to help navigate the journey. As she spoke, I noticed a small tattoo on her arm. Curious, I looked closer and saw that it simply read, Joshua 1:9.
In these moments, we need each other, and gentle reminders of God’s promises (like Joshua 1:9), that we are not alone. Strength is not ours to manufacture nor is it the absence of fear. Grace meets us exactly as we are. 🤍
A Blessing For When We Don’t Feel Very Courageous
by Pastor Cari
God, in this vulnerable place, that looks nothing like a power stance, reassure us you are here.
Blessed are we, trying to be brave while holding all these emotions. Feeling this uncomfortable tension.
Is this the co-mingling of vulnerability and courage?
Blessed are we, too exhausted to manufacture strength. Help us embrace our weakness as a measure of courage and act of love.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
God, come near and sit with us in our fears. Rest our hearts with your promises.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Blessed are we, who pause long enough to see our bravery in ordinary moments. Continue to meet us with grace; as we are, as it is, right now.
Taking a moment of collective pause…
Finding a gentle seat, relax the shoulders and jaw.
Soften the face and eyes, bringing hands together at heart center.
God, be with us as we breathe here. And give us permission to stay as long as needed.
Amen.
Much love beloveds, C 🤍
