“What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?”
That’s Dennis Rainey’s favorite question to ask men and he’s certainly asked me once or twice. It’s a hard question to answer as I think God teaches us courage in small increments, continuously asking us to do something that takes just a bit more faith. So on one level, 
recent challenges such as interviewing a young man who wanted to date my daughter or talking to my wife about an area of conflict are probably on the list. Certainly deciding to quit a job and raise support in order to fulfill a calling has to be near or at the top.
But perhaps the most courageous steps are those we take at first, when we decide we’re going to be courageous. I recall an occasion in college when there was a very difficult conversation that needed to take place. Several friends and I knew it needed to be done but no one wanted to do it. I very distinctly remember the watershed moment when I said, “I’ll talk to them.” I feel like every courageous act I’ve ever done got started right then.
So what Courageous thing is God asking you to do today?
As you think about that, let me share with you a couple of courage-building opportunities for you. First is the opportunity to read Dennis Rainey’s new book Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood. In this book, Dennis encourages men to step up along the five steps of manhood (Boyhood, Adolescence, Manhood, Mentor, Patriarch) and to bring their sons and younger men along with them. The short book is written to say “You Can Do It!” and offer some tips for how. It is also available in eBook form for Kindle, Nook and iBook!
The second opportunity is to see the new film from Sherwood Pictures (makers of Facing the Giants and Fireproof) called Courageous. I’ve seen the film and it is a powerful call to godly manhood that will be an encouragement and a challenge to you and to men everywhere. The film opens on Sept 30 so make sure to go and take some friends on opening weekend as that has a big part in determining the success of the film.
