Courage To Answer The Call

Recently, I listened to one of my dad’s sermons entitled “Courage to Answer the Call.“ In it he said something that has stayed with me: “Do not look to your courage to find your identity in Christ. Look to your identity in Christ, to find your courage.”

That sentence speaks to a struggle many of us face. We often think, “If I can just feel brave enough, then I’ll do what I know I need to do.” We wait for courage before we obey. We wait until we feel confident to serve. We wait until we feel ready to have that spiritual conversation. We wait until we feel strong enough to face what we’ve been avoiding.

But Scripture flips that thinking. God doesn’t call His people to look inward and “work up” courage. He calls them to remember who they are and whose they are.

When God commissioned Joshua, He told him, “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

The foundation wasn’t Joshua’s personality or toughness—it was God’s presence. Joshua’s courage would come from the God who was with him. That’s still true today. If you are in Christ, your identity is already secure. You are not trying to earn God’s love—you live from it. You are not defined by fear, failure, or your past. You are defined by the One who redeemed you. And when we remember that, courage begins to rise—not because we suddenly become fearless, but

because we know we are held.

And this ties directly into our theme this year: Growing in Christ. Discipleship is growth—and growth requires courage. It takes courage to repent. Courage to change habits. Courage to forgive. Courage to serve when it’s inconvenient. Courage to step into Bible class, lean into worship, and be consistent when life gets busy.

Most people don’t avoid growth because they don’t want it—they avoid it because it costs something. But when your identity is rooted in Christ, you don’t have to be afraid of the cost. You’re not walking alone, and you’re not growing by your own strength.

So maybe the question this week isn’t, “Am I courageous enough?” Maybe it’s, “Do I remember my identity in Christ?” Because when identity is settled, obedience becomes clearer.

Forgiveness becomes possible. Confession becomes honest. Service becomes joyful. And sharing the Gospel becomes bold. Don’t look to your courage to find your identity in Christ. Look to your identity in Christ—and you will find the courage to answer the call. Always remember—you are loved

Eric

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