By Tara Sun
Brave Women Series - Tara's Story
One of the bravest moments of my life felt an awful lot like one of the scariest moments of my life at first.
I was a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed eighteen-year-old in the throes of her first year of college. The plan was simple and straightforward, mapped out since I could remember. I would attend college, graduate with my undergrad in Biology, and then move on to additional schooling to become either a nurse or physician’s assistant. My career aspirations were lofty, but not far off.
That was until I had a life-changing encounter with God in the middle of a biology lecture. That was until God made it clear as day that I wasn’t supposed to be there – at this lecture, at this college, or even pursuing the plans I was holding onto so tightly.
After weeks of wrestling with God in prayer, I loaded up my 2003 Honda Accord with all my things, moved out of my dorm house, and sent an email to my counselor telling her that I was withdrawing from college.
Just three weeks into the first trimester.
The bravest thing I did, and the bravest thing we all can do, is obeying God, even when it doesn’t make sense. Even when what He calls us to do does not line up with the expectations, dreams, or plans we had for our lives.
"The bravest thing we all can do, is obeying God, even when it doesn’t make sense. Even when what He calls us to do does not line up with the expectations, dreams, or plans we had for our lives."
But that doesn’t mean those steps of obedience are easy. What I learned along the way – through trial and error, through constantly having to lay down my life after trying to pick it up and take it away from God – was that my attempts to control my life weren’t getting me any closer to the fulfillment, purpose, or peace in life I was longing for.
"My attempts to control my life weren’t getting me any closer to the fulfillment, purpose, or peace in life I was longing for."
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (NLT)
Some versions say, “Do not lean on your own understanding”, and “He will make your paths straight.”
Let me tell you – this is one of the most countercultural messages I could ever share with you.
Secular manifestation, putting “vibes out into the world”, and hustling as a girl boss are the anthems of our day. And truthfully, it’s not just the secular world that falls victim to this mindset. We as Christians can too, and we need to always have our guard up. These messages dominate social media feeds and bestseller lists, telling us that the brave thing to do is to take life by the horns, not wait for permission, and to achieve the lives we want within our own power and capacity.
"Secular manifestation, putting “vibes out into the world”, and hustling as a girl boss are the anthems of our day. And truthfully, it’s not just the secular world that falls victim to this mindset. We as Christians can too, and we need to always have our guard up."
But we’re reminded in the New Testament gospel accounts that the brave thing, the abundant way of life, is actually pretty upside down. It’s actually very different than what seems natural. Yet, that’s exactly what Jesus came to do. He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He came to make clear what perhaps was foggy in the Old Testament. He came to empower those who wanted to become his disciples to be brave and countercultural, even if it was unpopular or hard.
"He came to empower those who wanted to become his disciples to be brave and countercultural, even if it was unpopular or hard."
Jesus said in Luke 9:23,
“’If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.’” (NLT)
Friend, I know it’s hard to live like a disciple. I know it goes against our fleshly instincts. But can I give you some hope? You don’t have to do it alone. Being brave, stepping out with Him, and trusting God, with what feels like blind faith, is scary – but we were never wired to do it alone. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us, enabling us to live out the bold calling we have on our lives through Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross.
"Trusting God, with what feels like blind faith, is scary – but we were never wired to do it alone. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us, enabling us to live out the bold calling we have on our lives through Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross."
If you want to live brave, live surrendered. If you want to live in total obedience to God’s call, live with open hands to His plans. If you want to live with purpose, trust in the Lord, as Solomon said, and be assured that even if the paths feel curvy and out of control, the Lord will always make them straight – in His timing and in His way.
"If you want to live brave, live surrendered. If you want to live in total obedience to God’s call, live with open hands to His plans."
Brave Woman Manifesto
Make sure to check back next week as another courageous Sister shares her story. And by the way...
You are Brave!
No matter what you are facing, God has made you in His image, which means He equips you with His courage, strength, and power. I would love to connect more and give you a FREE gift - the BRAVE WOMAN MANIFESTO: Five Things to Tell Yourself When Life Gets Hard. Click HERE to sign up for my monthly newsletter and you’ll receive the FREE Manifesto, as well as recent blog posts, updated resources and personal details delivered only to my empowered email tribe.
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About Tara
Through the Truth Talks with Tara podcast, her Instagram community, and her book, Surrender Your Story: Ditch the Myth of Control and Discover Freedom in Trusting God, Tara Sun passionately teaches women of all ages how to know, love, and live God’s Word for themselves. She shows how to break down God’s Word into understandable pieces. Tara is married to her high school sweetheart, Michael, and is a mom to their newest addition, Hunter. You’ll find them living and serving the Lord in Oregon.
For more on how to trust God with the twists and turns of your story, and live a brave life of surrender, grab a copy of Tara's book, Surrender Your Story, today.