God's Scaredy Cats

It’s embarrassing to admit that you’re really timid about being brave for the Lord. We’d all like to have the courage to stand tall and fearlessly march forward in the path the Lord has prepared for us. We’d like to tell every person we meet about Christ. But we are restricted by fear. Let’s face it – often we’re scaredy cats – or if you don’t like the feline analogy, would it help to label yourself ‘a Christian chicken’?

Can the Lord use scaredy cats? The good news is yes and with each small, seemingly insignificant step forward, the Lord is able to strengthen you for bigger things ahead. The key to progress is obedience even if you have to do it after dark, with all your limbs trembling and your heart pounding.

Here’s a story from the Old Testament - not copied verbatim but definitely realistic.

“Guys, come here,” he nervously whispers to his ten servants.

“What is it master? You seem to have the jitters.”

“The Lord has spoken to me and He told me that He was going to use me (can you imagine!!), yes, little old me to deliver Israel from the Midianites. I told the Lord that I wasn’t really qualified. My family was about as weak as they come and as for me, well I’m the runt of the litter. But the Lord assured me He Himself was sending me and that I was to go in this strength and He promised to be with me.”

“So then Master Gideon, why are your knees knocking together? It looks almost like you’re scared.”

“I am a tad bit nervous, to tell the truth. Really, I’m scared stiff because the Lord wants me to start at my father’s house and you know my dad! He worships Baal just like the rest of them. He’s got that big fertility pole, the idol statue and Baal altar on the front lawn and the Lord wants me to tear it all down. Then He wants me to offer up a sacrifice to the Lord on that very spot of ground!”

“Oooooooh, we understand now. That’s quite a step. So, what are you going to do?”

‘Well, I want to obey the Lord. In fact, I have no other option. To honor God in my life, is to obey Him. As nervous as I am, with His help, we will do it. But I think I won’t do it in broad daylight. I’m just too scared. I’ll do it after dark.”

Scared but he obeyed the Lord – even if it was after dark. Brave souls might criticize Gideon for his timid approach but the reality is: he obeyed the Lord. Don’t beat yourself up over your timidity. Focus on obedience. If you’re too scared to give a Gospel paper to the person on the bus, then leave it on the seat. Someone will find it. Scared to share Christ directly? Well then at least share Him indirectly. Leave your New Testament on the side of your desk without ever saying a word. Leave a Gospel CD on a counter – someone will pick it up. They might trash it – they might not.

For Gideon, that timid start was just the beginning. As his life unfolded, God used him repeatedly to do exploits on His behalf. The key was Gideon’s obedience and confidence in the Lord for each step of the way, even if he was shaking in his boots.

Dear child of God, scaredy cats can grow into lions for the Lord.