My girls both play basketball. Because we live in a country where not a lot of girls play sports, them being a tiny bit athletic means they end up playing on some pretty competitive teams. Not much of their childhood mirrors anything about mine, so I'll admit, I'm thrilled to have basketball games to go to every weekend. 

For six years now, one of my girls has been going to practices 3-4 times a week, all year long. She's got a decent set of skills, is tall, and really enjoys playing. 

But she does not shoot in a game. She'll get the ball, have a clear shot at the basket, or an open lane for a layup… and pass. Not always to an open player. She's so afraid of missing, of having her teammates and her coach yell at her, that she won't shoot. 

I'll admit it drives me mad, but deep down I know that she and I are not that different. How many decisions do I not make, conversations do I not have, questions do I not ask, because I am too afraid of the consequences?

Gideon is the Bible poster-boy for fear, but we all know from his story that he eventually got past his fears, not without changing his mind and testing God multiple times of course. But he did move past his fear, and his obedience secured 40 years of peace for God's people (Judges 6-8). 

I am constantly trying to show my daughter what she is missing out on by not taking her shot. Scoring points, helping her team, gaining experience when it doesn't go in, becoming a better player. But her fear is still too strong. 

And what about me? What if that conversation could have been the words God used to open someone's heart to Him? Or what if that decision I didn't make would have actually given me more opportunity to impact lives? What if asking that one question helped someone make a decision to walk away from sin?

May God give us all the courage of Gideon to be obedient, even when the consequences from our limited human perspective seem scary.