When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
— Acts 4:13

I find this verse to be one of the most beautiful and encouraging in all of Scripture.

When the leaders saw the courage of Peter and John, they were astonished — not because these men were educated or impressive, but because it was clear they had been with Jesus.

That feels attainable.

I don’t have to be extraordinary or particularly skilled. I can simply spend time with Him.

And apparently, that is enough.

Because Jesus changes everything.

He takes ordinary people and gives them courage.
He takes unschooled men and makes them bold.

When I think about how I want to be remembered when my life is all said and done, this rises to the top of my list.

It’s not about what I accomplished.
It’s not about where I traveled.
Or what I accumulated.

I want people to take note that I had been with Jesus.

That He had so captured my attention, my heart, and my life that everything I did and said flowed from being with Him.

The beautiful thing is this: I can have as much of God as I want. He is not withholding Himself from me.

Scripture tells us that we will find Him when we seek Him with all our hearts. (Jeremiah 29:13)
Jesus tells us to ask, seek, and knock — and the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7)

And I have found this to be true.

In the same way that running every day makes me a stronger runner, spending time with Jesus each day shapes me — slowly, steadily — into someone who looks more like Him.

And perhaps that is where courage is formed.

Not in grand moments.
But in quiet, daily companionship.

I desire a courageous life.
A life of adventure and astonishment.

Not necessarily because of what I did —
but because of Who I did it with.