Do you hesitate to use your TCK gifts, fearing other people’s opinions? Or do you feel superior because of your experiences?
I think we’ve all fallen on both sides at some point. Somehow, we need to balance confidence and selflessness.
But how do we achieve this balance?
Two words:
Fearless humility.
By balancing these two attributes, we can use our TCK gifts in a God-glorifying manner that builds others up in Christ instead of tearing them down.
Let’s divide the two words to examine their meaning. First, what does being fearless mean?
1. Fearlessness means being secured in our identity in Christ.
The first step towards fearlessness is knowing that we have worth as God’s creation and His children. It’s embracing the promises God gives to us through His Word about who we are. It means to rest secure in Christ’s righteousness.
Recite the following truths to yourself whenever you fear or doubt:
- I am chosen: “… he chose us in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world …” (Eph. 1:4 ESV).
- I am God’s possession: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession …” (1 Pet. 2:9 ESV).
- I am His workmanship: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works …” (Eph. 2:10 ESV).
- I am a new creation: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17 ESV).
- I am beloved: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8 ESV).
- I am redeemed: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isa. 43:1 ESV).
- I am forgiven: “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12 ESV).
- I am eternally secure in Christ: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28 ESV).
When you are anchored in these unchanging truths, man’s opinion cannot shake you.
2. Fearlessness means embracing our God-given purpose.
In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter reminds believers of the purpose for their salvation: “that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
God called us out of darkness for one reason – to proclaim His glory. Or, according to 2 Corinthians 5:20, to be His ambassadors to the world.
God, the Creator of the world, the Lord of the universe, the Conqueror of death, has called us to share His special gift of redemption to the world. What more assurance do we need? What greater authority do we require?
Man’s opinion holds nothing compared to the glorious purpose God has given us. So go and confidently share your gift with the world!
Fearlessness isn’t the only trait we need. To prevent our fearlessness from turning into pride, we need to temper it with humility. What does it mean to be humble?
3. Humility means remembering who we are without God.
Peter then tells the believers who they once were:
“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Pet. 2:10 ESV).
Humility is not tearing ourselves down or shaming ourselves. Humility is remembering who we are without God. It is remembering who the source of all life and light is, and that we are condemned to hell apart from Jesus’ sacrifice.
It is remembering that we did nothing, and Christ did everything, for our salvation. Ephesians 2 says,
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked. ... But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:1–2a, 4–6 ESV, emphasis added).
The same goes for our gifts. Every good and perfect gift is from the Father (James 1:17). We are only stewards of those gifts.
“What do you have that you did not receive?” Paul challenges the believers in 1 Corinthians 4:7. “If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
4. Humility means remembering that our first true purpose is to glorify God and second to serve others.
God did not save us and give us gifts to glorify and serve ourselves. He gave them to glorify Him.
Jesus confirms this in Matthew –
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 ESV, emphasis added).
Ephesians tells us that “he [God] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11–12 ESV, emphasis added).
Humility is pursuing the welfare of others above ourselves. It is serving our neighbor rather than seeking our own gain. It means pointing all glory to God, not ourselves.
Conclusion
Fearless humility means resting in Christ’s righteousness while remembering who we are apart from Him. It is embracing our purpose as God’s ambassadors, glorifying God first, then serving others.
God has given you wonderful gifts, my friend. He wants you to share it with the world and be His ambassador to the lost. And He wants you to do it all for His glory. So, what are you waiting for? Share your knowledge and wisdom with the world. Be that bridge builder. Use your language skills to reach others. And do it with fearless humility.
TCKs for Christ: Writer & Social Media Manager
Kristianne Hassman
is an MK from South Africa and has called Africa her home for the past 15 years. As a writer, she seeks to use her gifts to encourage other TCKs that they are not alone. Besides writing, she enjoys reading voraciously, playing piano and violin, and helping with her family’s ministry. You can connect with her at Whimsical Wanderings or on Instagram, @KristianneHassman_Author.
