What  does the word bold mean to you? Is it how you live your life? Any part of your life? For me, it defines many parts of mine, but it didn’t always.

As much as my mother wishes it didn’t, it defines my hair on most days. I turned a corner 2 years ago. My stylist, whom I trust wholeheartedly, took bold and turned it into my normal. I’ve been every shade of a prism. Its given me a confidence I can’t quite explain, only wear.  Do I believe God still loves me even when I look like Rainbow Brite?! Of course! Do I believe God still loves me when I rock an icy blonde pixie?! Yep, He still does! I’ve taken this bold, let it soar with my confidence, and my love for extraordinary to a new level.

My favorite part about my hair, it starts conversations with strangers. They just approach me. They will ask me about dying my hair and having the “guts” to do it. In those moments, God gives me the chance to transfer my confidence into people I would otherwise not even know. I remind them, in the opportunity to say yes or no, always say yes! It’s rare to stand out, be who God called you to be!

As fun as it is, hair is a superficial bold.  There are plenty of other superficial bolds that I absolutely love. Clothes! Wrapped up in a mermaid sequined sweatshirt, that catches the light and reflects the way I hope Jesus reflects back off of me! Or that pair of pink sneakers with all the pearls and diamonds across the top that make me feel like a sporty Cinderella. Makeup! Shimmery blends of browns, pinks, golds all whisply falling on my eyelids and cheeks. Only to be finished off with a BOLD princess pink or queen red lip!

Sorry gentlemen, I really spoke to the ladies, and covered some of my favorite ways of being bold. But really, those aren’t definitions of me, nor are they who I am, just ways to make me shine a little bolder.

The ways I strive to be bold, and want to be bold in my walk with Christ, doesn’t it really hinge on this statement, in this scripture?

 

Boldly I approach Your throne 

Hebrews 4:16

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

 

When I say I want to boldly approach the throne or pray my prayers boldly, I do not want to come off arrogant. I also do not want to be presumptuous with anything when it comes to the Lord. We are called though, not to hesitate in prayer, but to come straight to Jesus. Bring everything to Him! The path is always clear! We are the ones who clutter it up, with our shame, with our sin, with our own condemnation. Jesus paid the price, by the blood on the cross, and He rose again so we could be FREE and BOLD! It is His redeeming love that can allow us to be unreserved. Think about it… Dance like no one is watching, laugh like no one is listening, pray like God is answering! I promise He is! He delights in us and He already knows our hearts, He is just waiting for time alone with us.

When I remember what Jesus went through while He was here on this side of the blue with us, it is a reminder that He can truly sympathize with us. He was tempted. He stayed true. He stayed clean. He stayed sinless. He defeated death. All for us. But He was still no stranger to the temptation of lies, stealing, revenge, self-pity, lust…

So I’ve got a God who knows me better than I know myself, He understands every sin and temptation I face, He holds my future in His hands, and He wants nothing more than to spend time with and love on me?! How could I not go running towards His throne?! How could I not boldly love Him?! How is that I ever let the devil in and steal away one ounce of my joy or let me feel condemned?!

That’s it! I’m doing it… Ready to walk on the water, be bold in my faith, run straight to the throne with no reluctance.

And IF you need to feel even better about it…

Ephesians 1:3-7

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

I know that some days mustering up a prayer seems like farthest thing from our minds. Again, we get cluttered. We let the devil get in. We let him win, temporarily, but he never does get the victory. Turn it around and take those days, BOLDLY take ANYTHING straight to our Lord! He wants it all! He is there, arms wide open!

 

My prayer…

Lord, I thank You for this platform, these opportunities, and every chance I get to proclaim Your name. I pray that You are truly honored by every word. I want my love, my prayers, and pursuit for You to become BOLDER every single day. I pray over my readers, those who know You and are coming to know You, be with them and help them through them individual journeys. Help them to be BOLDER in their lives, and not be afraid to just run to You! Lord, I love You, we love You!

In Jesus’ Name.

 

With Love,

Michelle