Being bold
by Mark Lieschke
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Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness (Acts 4:29).
Read Acts 4:23–31
I wouldn’t describe myself as being bold. I really don’t take too many risks. I’m careful, cautious and restrained. I’m not a person who ‘lives on the edge’. I have, at times, opened packets of biscuits from the end that says to ‘open other end’. But that might be the extent of my daring!
So, when it comes to adapting to change, being open to new ventures and especially sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, I have been hesitant. It’s been my ‘job’ to share the good news for many years. It’s what I was paid to do. So, I had to do it. But in the back of my mind, I knew that wasn’t the right motivation.
However, in doing it, I became much more confident. God’s Holy Spirit was at work, even when there was questionable motivation, even when I stayed silent, even when I doubted my ability. God was at work. There was gentle (and not-so-gentle, at times) pushing, opportunities to learn and grow, and inspiration and encouragement from people around me.
The journey continues for me. Boldness to share the good news of Jesus Christ will always be something I strive for. And I have the confidence that the Holy Spirit will continue to grow, challenge, comfort and equip me.
I continue to be blown away by the courage of Peter and John. They stood up in the face of rejection, imprisonment and threat of death. They prayed that they would be able to speak with boldness. And ‘after they prayed … they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly’ (Acts 4:31).
That’s my prayer and my prayer for all believers. That the Holy Spirit will continue to fill us with his power, so that we can grow in our courage to speak the word of God boldly.
Holy Spirit, renew me again today. Refresh me, encourage me, make me bold. Give me all I need so that I can reflect the heart of Jesus in all I do and say. Thank you for giving me all I need to point people to Jesus. In his name I pray. Amen.
Mark Lieschke is a retired pastor living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church Buderim. He served in parishes in Adelaide SA, Palmerston North and Marton in New Zealand and Wagga Wagga NSW (school and congregation), before being elected as bishop of the LCANZ’s New South Wales District. He and his wife, Meredith, have four children (two of whom live in Canada) and two grandchildren. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and resting.
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