I used to think courage meant not being afraid.

Now I think courage looks a lot more like being afraid… and saying yes anyway.

That’s what I love about Deborah.

She didn’t spend her time trying to convince people she was qualified. She wasn’t chasing influence or trying to prove herself.

She simply stayed faithful to what God had asked her to do.

As I read her story, I couldn’t help but think about all the seasons in my own life where God has asked me to step into something unfamiliar.

New opportunities.

New relationships.

New dreams.

New seasons that felt exciting and terrifying at the same time.

If I’m honest, there have been moments when I’ve wondered if I was enough.

Enough to do what God was asking.

Enough to lead.

Enough to encourage someone else when I was still figuring things out myself.

But Deborah reminds me that God has never asked us to be enough on our own.

He’s simply asked us to trust Him enough to take the next step.

One thing that really stood out to me was Barak’s hesitation. He told Deborah he would only go into battle if she went with him.

Part of me understands that.

Sometimes we all want someone beside us reminding us that we’re not crazy for believing God.

And Deborah didn’t shame him for needing encouragement.

She went.

That challenged me.

Sometimes leadership isn’t standing in front of everyone.

Sometimes it’s simply walking beside someone who’s struggling to take the first step.

I also noticed something else.

After the victory, Deborah didn’t make the story about herself.

She worshiped.

She knew exactly where the victory came from.

That’s the kind of woman I want to become.

Not someone who’s remembered for what she accomplished, but someone who constantly points people back to the God who made it possible.

Maybe today God is asking you to take one small step you’ve been putting off.

Maybe He’s asking you to start something.

Share something.

Apply for something.

Forgive someone.

Trust Him in a new season.

Whatever it is, remember this…

God doesn’t call the people who have it all together.

He calls ordinary people who are willing to keep saying yes.

And sometimes one simple yes is all He needs to begin writing a story bigger than you ever imagined.