"BRAVE"

(a Kerygma Conference 2019 experience)

It was another special time of the year in our community when we had our annual Kerygma Conference. I got another chance to see my fellow brothers and sisters from different Feasts (a weekly Catholic prayer meeting) from the provinces and all parts of the globe. I also had another chance to listened to the powerful talks from top-notch speakers that are notable and well-respected in their fields.

With this year's theme, BRAVE - we are called to move out of our comfort zone and step into our courage zone. We don't let our fears controlled us but instead, we need to be able to accept that fear and face it head-on. From a place of comfort to a place of unknown. From a place of hurt to a place of forgiveness and acceptance. From a place of control to a place of risks and uncertainties. It was indeed another memorable experience where I've learned so much and will surely apply it in my personal life.

What do you think when you heard the word "BRAVE"? Is it just coming out victorious after fighting 5 guys down the street? Is it just being fearless? Or is it something else? I've remember reading a quote from a Facebook post a few years ago that being "brave" is not an absence of fear, being brave means that although you have that fear, you still choose to fight and move forward. It is be able to stand up despite the odds that are in front of you.

And as I participated in this 4-day conference, I have heard many stories of people who choose to be brave despite the big challenge that they have faced. Here are some of them...

- A story of a student who bravely sell desserts around the campus just to continue her studies.

- An OFW who risks his savings to put up his upholstery business and now provides seats to all cinemas of a famous mall in the country,

- A sought-after finance and entrepreneur mentor who put his position and reputation at risks just so his ideas will be heard.

- A long-time servant of God who still choose to keep on serving despite battling cancer.

And many more...

But if you see the examples above, the stories of these people may seems like different from each other but looking closely, they do have something in common; they chose to be courageous, they chose to fight, they chose to move forward and yes, they chose to be BRAVE.

And being brave is not just a decision, for I do believe that God wants us to be brave. For it has written:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6

He wants us to be brave because God believes in us. He wants us to be strong and achieve something. He wants us to trust in Him. He wants to bless us more but we can only receive those blessings if we learn to set aside our fears, step on the pedestal and push the wall of familiarity.

And as we finally get through, we will then realize that our God has never left us after all. That all this time, He is there waiting for us. Cheering for us and when we approach Him, we can hear His words; "Good job my BRAVE child."

#KerygmaConference

#BRAVE

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