Memorial Day—a day of remembrance. We approach this day in reverence to those who have sacrificed for our freedom. They are heroes and trailblazers of bravery.

Although not all of us are called to sacrifice for our country on this level, we are called—at one point or another—to moments of bravery in life.

I’ll never forget the day we buried my father. He was 56-years young. Despite the fact that he didn’t die in combat, he was buried with military honors and a heart-stopping 21-gun salute. Every time the soldiers unloaded their guns into the sky, it shook me—body, mind, and soul. The collective click of their rifles as they reloaded for the next artillery salute was the only reprieve.

Tears fell from my eyes, and my heart broke over and over and over. Even as each forceful blast shattered the silence, the quietness was deafening. The moment stands still in my memory. One of honor and respect for a simple man, a humble man—my dad. That was over sixteen years ago.

I have the flag that was given to my mother. His flag. It’s my honor to see it every day. It is displayed in our home office as a centerpiece on the bookshelf. It reminds me of him; of who he was and what he taught me about courage.

I have buried two of the most important men in my life—my dad and my husband. Men who in their own ways challenged me to a courage I didn’t know I had. A courage that has been revealed in the trials of life with them and also in their deaths.

This courage is not natural to me. As a matter of fact, my natural bent leans toward weakness. I would just as soon take the easy way out. But over time, I’ve learned the spiritual satisfaction of conquest by following the harder more uncomfortable path of walking with God into the dark.

It’s not easy, and I always have a choice to make. But I find that it gets easier the more I do it—the more I say, “Yes, Lord.”

Just this past week I was challenged at work to face an extreme fear of speaking in public. I didn’t want to do it at all. And when I say—at all—I mean at all! I could have lived my entire life without facing that fear. However, I knew this was an invitation to be brave. God was whispering,“Will you say, “Yes?”

Sure, I had a choice. I could have said—no—and gone on with my life. But I knew this was a place of growth, and that it would change me somehow. In a moment of courage, I took a deep breath, gazed into the dark, and said, “Yes Lord.”

As Christians, we are called to sacrifice. To walk headlong into the dark, not knowing what we will be called to do, and completely unaware of the outcome. We are invited to stretch, to grow, to experience what it feels like, and looks like, to be brave in the face of our deepest fears.

Honestly, being brave doesn’t quiet the whispers of fear—it tends to magnify them as you take those first few steps forward. Even so, you are designed for bravery. A divine design, complete with the power to do that which you cannot do on your own (Philippians 4:13).

I have found that God reveals a new dimension of myself, and a deeper dimension of Himself when I walk through the door of fear. It’s there, on the other side, that I discover more of who God is and the purposes and plans He has for me in this life.

Courage begins with “Yes, Lord!”

It’s knowing that God has prepared you for this particular moment. Will you answer the call? Will you stretch? Will you follow Him into the dark? I guarantee He has something special for you in it.

It’s time to put on your fatigues, lace up your combat boots, and walk headlong into a moment of courage. What is Jesus bidding you to experience? If you listen carefully, can you hear him whispering to you, “Will you follow me? Will you say, ‘Yes’?”

Reflect and Respond:

What small act of bravery is God calling you to answer? Is He asking you to share your story? Have a tough conversation? Take a step forward, or possibly a step back in business or ministry? Forgive the unforgivable? Forge a new relationship? Whatever it is that God is whispering to your heart, listen for His voice. When you hear Him, don’t retreat, take a deep breath and go for it!

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed as you follow Him into the dark.