Courageous Disciples Week 1, Day 4

Read

Luke 10:1-12

“Courage has a ripple effect. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver.”

The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, p. 15

What is the ripple effect of the courage of the 72 commissioned by Jesus? Could it be that the sending of the 72 is a continuous ripple to you and I today?

As you seek to follow Jesus, you do so in your every day ordinary life. In essence, you’re creating ripples everywhere you go and with whomever you interact.

That’s what happens when we’re sent out in Jesus’ name. As Jesus sent the 72, he asked them to be good partners, to be gracious guests, to create community, to participate in table fellowship, and to act on his behalf.

Did you also notice, “they were preparing the way for Jesus.” He sent them ahead of where he was going. They had the privilege of continuing a ripple that began with Jesus.

As they began to arrive in “all the places he was about to go,” perhaps a pebble was dropped in the water and a small ripple resulted. They knew full well the one who walked on water, Jesus would make a humble, loving splash when he arrived in town.

Can you imagine the courage it took to prepare the way for Jesus? Through your small ripples or big splashes, you’re preparing the way to encounter the love of Jesus.

Consider again your call to courage. What ripples of courage do you have the privilege to be a part of today? Not sure? Maybe you’ll need to create some!

Reflect

How does the community you are a part of (big, little or somewhere in the middle) help you to be a little braver?

Respond

What ripples of courage will you create today?

Pray

Holy God, where you send me, I will go. Use me today to create ripples of courage with the people I meet today. Amen.