Be Brave

Bravery doesn’t always look like standing on a stage, rushing into danger, or making bold declarations. Sometimes bravery is simply taking the next step when you don’t know where your foot will land.

For me, my 40s have been the decade of bravery.

I’ve written and released two books.

My firstborn left for college thousands of miles away, and my home forever changed.

I stepped away from a job I’d held for fourteen years, completely unsure of what was next, but confident that God was calling me into what Psalm 18:19 calls a “broad place,” filled with His delight.

I traveled the world, preached the gospel, and even kicked a breast cancer in 2024.

And then 2025 rolled around, and I decided to conquer something new: education.

I am not a great test taker. In fact, if you’ve read my book You Are Not Who You Think You Are, you know this has been a lifelong struggle for me. But God was nudging me to push through fear and do something I normally wouldn’t do.

So, I quietly registered for real estate classes without even telling my husband. After six smaller exams, I sat for the big state and national test that has a 50% pass rate. I was determined not to stress, not to second guess the answers, or to lose sleep no matter the outcome. With four hours to complete 120 questions, I finished in less than 90 minutes, and walked out with two pieces of paper: both the state and national exams passed on my first attempt.

I was honestly SHOCKED as I high-fived the proctor not once, but twice! I don’t know what I expected, but to me it wasn’t about a license. It was about obedience. It was about bravery. It was about not being confined by limiting spaces that only existed in my head.  It was about proving that fear would not dictate my future. It was about experiencing another adventure and not being afraid of uncharted territory.

BUT… Now what? I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I called up a friend of mine who’s real estate business was booming thinking I might be able to help him move stronger faster. His response: “Celeste, I could do that, but I won’t. It would be a waste of you. You need to do this!”

I was immediately reminded that this was more than just real estate, it was ministry. The Apostle Paul used his craft of tent making (aka building and selling homes) to fund his ministry and deepen his relationships and theology.

That’s when I realized something: bravery doesn’t always mean changing direction, sometimes it means expanding your capacity.

My dad solidified my next steps when he asked me this questions: “Do you want to be like Ruth, picking up scraps in the field, or do you want to do what Ruth did, take a risk, and own the field?”

I want to be an owner and I want that for others too! I’m continuing to minister from stages and pages, but I’ll also be found in homes and conversations with faith that makes dreams become reality.  

God has called us to be owners! And now I get to steward that calling in a whole new way. That’s what bravery is. It’s not settling for the leftovers. It’s stepping into the unknown with faith, believing that God has something greater on the other side that not only blesses you, but everyone you encounter.

So here’s my encouragement to you today: Step out. Do the thing you’ve been afraid to do. Don’t let fear write your future.

BE BRAVE!