What is bravery? I’ve been called brave for being on this trip, but I don’t necessarily agree. There is hardly anything brave about living with fellow believers and enjoying the deepest intimacy with God I’ve ever experienced. That’s called joy! This week, I witnessed some real bravery. It took place in a hotel room at a youth camp in Uzhhorod, Ukraine.
“Place the cards in order of necessity.”
I watched as five teens between the ages of 12 and 16 slid small cards around the table, deciding on the placement and aligning them accordingly. The goal was simple; demonstrate your priorities. Each teen was given a stack of cards with various values and morals on them. These included trustworthiness, happiness, family, God, the Bible, friends, career, etc. Down the line, each person placed God in the very last place. My heart sank. Next to last was typically the Bible. Finally, I watched the only boy and the youngest in the room carefully arrange his cards. He didn’t skip a beat when he pushed the “God” card to the first slot. The most important value. The base. My friend’s name is Daniel (in English at least) and in that moment, he was the bravest person I’d ever met. As the other kids read their list off, Daniel switched his cards around so that God was no longer first. Honestly, I couldn’t blame him. If I were in his shoes, the fear of rejection by my peers would have been suffocating. Right before it was his turn to read, Daniel switched his cards back again. This time, God was first. He read the list and when asked to explain why God was first, Daniel’s answer filled my heart up with pride. “Because He is our Father and He created everything!”. In that moment I know that God was smiling on Daniel.
Daniel signed on for an English class where he is the only boy, the youngest by far and speaks the least English out of all the other students. Yet he stood firm when asked to be bold in his faith. Names carry a lot of weight and I’m sure that Daniel is a hard name to live up to but in that moment, I think Daniel wore his name well. Even if it meant potential rejection, sneers, or exclusion, Daniel held his head up and remained loyal to the God that he loves.
So this is my challenge for you: Be a little bit more like the Daniels. Step into the lion’s den unafraid. Don’t switch your cards around. When asked about your priorities, don’t let fear push you into denying the name of our amazing Father. Be brave.
I leave you with a quote from one of the greatest books of all time.
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” – Albus Dumbledore
P.S.
My new friend made me a little bit homesick! He reminds me of my little brother (Neel) so much!
