The Practice of Courage

One way to travel with one eye on the world and the other eye on Jesus

Courage

• the ability to do something difficult even when there's risk

Courage doesn’t come with an absence of fear, or in the very least, a sense of being very uncomfortable. And being courageous normally involves taking action in spite of fear. It’s knowing full well that something will be hard, but doing it anyway. Courage is more than bravery, which tends to be more spontaneous. Courage comes with a high degree of choice and forethought, and offers the gift of empowerment and growth on the other side.

The Big Story Living Way of Being Courageous

Incorporate this intention into your next travel adventure if you want to open up opportunity for your adventure and faith to collide, offering a fuller travel experience than you ever expected.

From the first moment someone discovers the opportunity to travel alongside Big Story Living, courage quickly comes into play. Saying “yes” to a journey with people from all over the country whom you probably don’t know takes courage. Trusting the process of budget travel, from taking out a mileage credit card to making the financial commitment to an adventure, takes courage. Flying across the ocean takes courage. Exploring a new place takes courage. Pushing yourself to move in “solo-ish” ways takes courage. Eating new food takes courage. Being in the minority takes courage. Working your way out of unexpected jams takes courage. Allowing yourself to do absolutely whatever you want, whenever you want, takes courage. Facing mishaps takes courage. Trusting that the Spirit within is with you, around every corner and eager to be noticed and trusted as our very best tour guide and companion takes courage.

And on the other side of courage…

• We feel empowered and proud of ourselves. We did it!

• Others will notice and be inspired.

• We are free from feeling anxious and able to accomplish more.

• We can clearly focus on creating a better future for ourselves.

• We are connected to our faith in more profound ways.

• It will be easier (at least a little) the next time 🙂.

• We’ve written a new portion of our Big Story!

Big Story Living Journeys aren’t meant to be worry-free, hassle-free, cushy vacations. They aren’t difficult or perilous adventures either. As travelers, we position our minds and intentions towards every moment of the journey - from joining to arriving back home - as a learning experience of a lifetime. That will require a little courage.

We are flexible and nimble. We have a plan, and we hold it with the anticipation that jams will happen. And as we meet each day with calm and courage, we learn, feel empowered, and are all the better for it in the end. Not only do we acquire skills to travel again and again, but we experience profound realization that even in experiencing something that might look frivolous to others like European travel, we have returned with a bucket list item checked AND a deeper sense of who we are as the beloved kids of a God who loves to join us in our joy.

Practicing courage and facing fears helps us engage the world and Jesus in anticipation of a Bigger Story.

Follow Our Adventure

The next Big Story Living Curated Journey departs November 3, and we’ll be sharing all the fun over on Instagram @bigstoryliving as well as on the new Facebook Page entitled “Big Story Living." I’d love for you to join us if you aren’t already following. Maybe the next journey will be calling your name! Hint, Hint…October 2024!

Happy Travels!

Amy