“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” — Ambrose Redmoon
Once upon a time I studied abroad in Ghana for five months. And it was the most difficult, yet most rewarding, five months of my life. It was difficult to leave everything behind, yes, but it was even more difficult returning home. Returning to an old life as a completely new person. And this adjustment period was not a short one. So now here I am thinking about doing it all over again, just now to a greater extent. Double the time, double the distance, double the difficulty. And I have been terrified. Terrified to leave, terrified to miss Christmas with my family, terrified to change, and terrified to return home. I'm even terrified to confirm to my friends that I am actually going.
So here I am terrified and questioning if this is really what I'm supposed to do. And praying my hiney off to figure it out. So, last night before I fall asleep as I'm praying, Isaiah 41 pops into my head. I convinced myself it was just me thinking things but then it was my first thought when I woke up this morning too. So, naturally, I gave in. And when I went to open my Bible, it opened right to Isaiah 41. Ironic, right? So within this lovely little chapter, verses 9-12 were already highlighted:
"I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All those who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all."
And to make matters even more direct, Isaiah 42:6-7 on the following page was also already highlighted:
"I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles; to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."
