20 Seconds of Insane Courage

In 2011 a new family friendly movie hit the big screens called “We bought a Zoo”. It was a story of Benjamin Mee, played by Matt Damon, who after his wife died, decided he and the kids needed a complete lifestyle change. So they sold up in the city and moved to country and you guessed it, bought a zoo.

It quickly became a family favourite for us as it was full of inspiration around taking a giant risk and living life full of courage. It was particularly revelant for us as we were in the middle of doing one of the most courageous (or crazy) things we had done as a family. Just 2 years earlier we had moved from our stable country lifestyle to one of the most expensive postcodes in the nation to start a church with no money, no backing and a small team of fellow travelers.

So the first time we watched it (yes, we have watched it many times since) we were deeply impacted and found the key quote of the movie became a catch cry for us to keep being courageous. When Mee is asked how he summoned the strength to ask his wife to date him he replied with a now famous quote. “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.”

That 20 second quote became a source of inspiration every time we were afraid and fearful and ready to shrink back.

It seems to me that our natural state as humans, if we aren’t being inspired, is to slowly and steadily shrink back. To opt for safety. To be consumed by self doubt. To take the stable ground. I know this is the case for me. 2011 seems so long ago and the last time I feel like I did something outrageously courageous is deep in my rear view mirror. My angst over this is magnified by the feeling that God has planted some seeds in my heart for Mexico that are potential big but I’m wracked with fear and self doubt.

So last Friday I was working away and a conversation with God started up in my mind. Part of it went something like this. Since the church plant finished you have stopped being courageous and swapped dreaming big for little dreams. You need to find courage again and cast big vision. I wasn’t shocked. I know it was true and I was grateful for God’s gentle fathering. If only I could find 20 seconds of insane courage. Right there I repented and asked for Gods strength to dream big again.

So on Friday night we shared with our supporters about our Mexico experience in 2022. And as I spoke about the future I summoned 20 seconds of insane courage and shared how we are going to start a ministry that will in Nov 2024 call the nation of Mexico to a nationwide day of Prayer and Fasting. In fact I feel to call 1 million Mexicans to gather, pray, fast and intercede for their country on one day close to their famous Day of the Dead. It’s taking every bit of courage to write and publish this but it’s time to dream big again.

Is there something in your life where fear has replaced courage? Well join me in asking God for 20 seconds of insane courage so we can together shape the world with His big dreams.