"Courage comes from not only know it is right to do, but knowing you are the right person at that time."

You have decided it is right to do, either because God's word is clear or you have concluded it is wise.

But, are you the right one, at this time?

In helping your child be a braveheart, she is learning to ask:
1. Is it right?
2. Is it wise?
The third big question for courage: Am I the one?

If a house is on fire and you know a fire truck is close because you are in the city, it might be right to rescue a sleeping child in the house, and needed. But, there is a better choice, the trained fire fighters will be there quickly and will be able to execute a rescue. It would be foolish, not brave to try with help close.

But, if the house is fifty miles away from a fire station and help is a long way off, you might be the one, since there is no one else to rescue the child.

There are many factors in moving from right to personal action. And, sometimes those have to be done quickly, without time to ponder. At other times, like choosing a career or ministry direction, there is time.

Am I the one?

Maybe the questions below will help. But, always with this caveat: if God calls you, no matter what the answers are to these questions, you are the one! He will give you what you need.

I remember my first job offer out of seminary to move to Iowa and serve as a principal of a Christian school. A wise and trusted professor told me I should not go, that I didn't have the right training. We went anyway and stayed for fourteen years. Theoritically, I did not have the specific skill set at that time, or experience, but I was the one because God called and paved the way. God's call trumps everything else.

Outside of God's clear call, how do you figure out if you are the one? What questions can you give your child to decide he or she is the one, the one who needs to step out in courage?

Lets try these:
* Is there anyone else around who can do the right thing, go the needed direction? Proximity plays into knowing if I am the one. A child being bullied needs someone to help: if your child is the only one there, it is time to step up.
* Is there anyone else with the appropriate gifts and abilities? There might be a crowd, in an emergency or conisdering a hard ministry. The person who has training, strength, or gifts to meet the need may be the one.
* Have you been selected by a group? By election, by acclimation of the group, by constant encouragment about your leadership or ability, by people just looking at saying, "You are the one."
* From a human perspective (remember, God's call trumps any of these) is there a reasonable chance of success? While it may be reasonable to attempt a fire rescue of the fire is in one corner of the home, it might be foolish if the house is already consumed in flames.
* Do you have the resources, the time, the energy, or the money to take care of the need or pursue the choice? Or, is someone else in a better place to meet the need?

I am sure there are other questions to figure out if "I am the one."

Don't let a lack of