The Audacity!

Usually, when we hear or use the word audacity, we are referring to the nerve of someone to do something that is outside of their lane.

2. “rude or disrespectful behavior; impudence.”

This is so interesting because I find that I have made the mistake time and time again of not dominating my own lane. When I say that, I don’t mean that I have not achieved or accomplished things that I am incredibly proud of. I have shrank back in almost every area of my life, always trying not to invade the space of others. If I’m frank, there’s tons of content that I have wanted to post here since I started my blog in 2016 that I haven’t because I was so worried about how people would receive it (if they’d even take the time to read at all).

There are so many talented women that I admire that put out very wise, sound messages that feed my soul and help me grow in different areas of my life. I sit back and admire their work, network with them, and compliment them. But sometimes I feel like there is such a massive gap between where they are and where I am. But I’ve realized the only real difference is:

They have audacity: the willingness to take bold risks.

They have the audacity to believe that they have a message or a gift that will help others, and whether or not it’s received, they jump in and go for it. And on the back-end, people are helped, set free, empowered, and inspired. And guess what? In the moments where they are transparent, they share that they are afraid, anxious, and unsure at times as well. So what could that possibly mean?

Fear is not an excuse.

Each of us have been gifted with something (or many things) that are there, not to make you rich, or to make you famous, but to help others. There’s something in you that people NEED. Your responsibility in this life is to get that message out. We are actually selfish when we hold in all of our greatness. The bible is clear about the source of our gifts and what we are to do with them:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

-James 1:17

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

-1 Peter 4:10

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

-Matthew 5:14-16

Your gift is what will draw others in to Christ and it is worth being bold about! It is not insignificant, and the market is not too saturated for you to make your lane in it. There is an audience that will receive from YOU.

So!

I turn 30 next year, and I am not waiting until then to do something different. I am declaring war against fear. I am declaring that “I am not putting the gifts that God gave me under a bowl.” I will put them on a stand and let my light shine.

Don’t allow your gift to go to the grave with you. Don’t bury it! Let’s have the audacity to do what we were created to do! I know that we have jobs and responsibilities. I know that we have bills to pay and people depending on us. But don’t let that be the reason that you deprive yourself and others of the blessing in doing what you were created to do.

What gifts have you been putting under a bowl? What areas have you been shrinking back in? Let's talk and hold each other accountable! Let this be the beginning of living a life of audacity.