This past week, my daughter Esther walked into her first day of kindergarten with a backpack slung over her shoulders and a mixture of nerves and determination written all over her face. The night before, she confessed what so many of us feel in moments of transition: “Dad, I’m just a little scared.”
It wasn’t that she doubted her ability. It wasn’t even that she didn’t want to go. It was simply that stepping into something new—something unknown—takes courage. Laying in bed with her that night, we talked about it and I reminded her that she isn’t alone. And the next morning, she took that deep breath and walked into the building with a lot of courage mixed with some fear.
Watching her reminded me that courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is moving forward even when fear whispers at the edges. Courage is trusting that God is with us when we step into something bigger than ourselves.
That’s exactly what we’ve been exploring together in our current sermon series, “Is That You God?”
- Week 1: We began with the simple but profound truth that God still speaks. The God who spoke creation into existence still nudges, whispers, and guides us today.
- Week 2: We wrestled with what it means to pay attention. God often speaks in ordinary moments, in interruptions, in quiet nudges—but we have to be willing to notice.
- Week 3: Last week, we dug into figuring out how we know it’s really God speaking, and not just our own thoughts or fears.
But all of these—listening, paying attention and discerning—ultimately bring us to the same question: what will we do when God calls us to act?
This week we’ll face that question head-on because discernment always leads to decision. Listening to God is not just an intellectual exercise; it often requires a courageous step of faith. And here’s the good news: the same God who spoke to Moses, who guided the prophets, who called the disciples, is with you when you take your step.
Just like Esther walking into school, we each face our own moments of decision: a career change, a hard conversation, a new opportunity to serve, or simply the choice to trust God in the middle of uncertainty. Fear is natural—but faith is possible.
So let me ask you: where is God nudging you right now? What leap of courage is waiting for you on the other side of fear?
At Good Shepherd, we believe that God is still speaking, still guiding, and still leading us forward. My prayer is that we, as a community, would have the courage to follow—not because we have all the answers, but because we know God walks beside us.
This Sunday, I hope you’ll join us as we finish up our series “Is That You God?” Bring your questions, your fears, and your hopes. And together, let’s take that step of courage.
Peace,
Matt
