At the heart of boldness lie courage and trust rooted in a sense of purpose. In 2004, Wangari Maathai (1940-2011) was the first African woman named winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. She was also the first honored with this prestigious award for environmental work. Her story included risking her own well-being to improve the lives of women and children living in poverty or marginalized in some way by power and authority.
Perhaps your mother, grandmother, teacher or friend has a kind of boldness and courage that seems to reach beyond the ordinary. When you see those characteristics, look for the sense of purpose behind that call. God has provided each of us with gifts and talents that are sufficient to act with purpose and courage.
This message is adapted from “God in Us: Courage to Answer the Call” written by Danielle Welliever in the June 2005 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.