The package came from DaySpring. That’s a ministry I write for now, as some of you know – and the partnership is a brave blessing. I connect with more of you, make new friends — and, as a bonus, I receive gifts. Almost every month it seems, DaySpring sends surprises — flowers and books, Bibles and journals, jewelry and mugs, and, well, a lot of remarkable things.

I’ve struggled how to share this bounty with you, especially to promote it – which would seem a little, well, contrived. Sort of like peddling.

Until now.

Until we need courage. Until we’re facing a tough New Year. Until our nation’s in a shutdown. And we can’t seem to fix it. Surely not by ourselves. How, indeed, do we look up, keeping our hearts open when, all around us, our national life is shut down?

I’ve been wrestling with that question. You probably have, too. Yes, we’re furloughed. Folks working without pay, struggling to pay bills, to feed their families and keep going.

Yet how do I stay up myself – hopeful, wholehearted and helpful? To keep looking up? Especially in a cranky, contentious New Year?

Then came the necklace. A beautiful and subtle thing. Looking perfect and right – for right now.

And I almost didn’t see it.

The doorbell rang. I found a package on the porch. The day was steamy. Late summer. With little notice, five dear family members had also moved in, staying until late fall. And the package? I just stashed it away, forgetting about it, busy with summer and family, Thanksgiving and fall, Christmas and life.

Then about a week ago, while cleaning away holiday clutter, I noticed the DaySpring box, stashed alone in a corner. Sitting down to open it, I took time to actually look through the bounty.

Then, there it was. The necklace. It shouldn’t have caught my eye. I’m not much of a necklace wearer, especially when it “says” words – which can seem, well, literal. But this bauble called me a strong name: Woman of Courage.

In fact, that’s its name. A Woman of Courage necklace. (Full disclosure: the photo’s an affiliate link.) Putting it on, however, I immediately perceived that “woman of courage” is who God calls me – and you, too – to be in this chaotic New Year.

He’s calling us, in fact – male or female, necklace wearing or not – to step into the complexity around us, right onto His chosen path. The way of courage.

That’s what He told Joshua. “This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1: 9). We too, thus, must go. Yes, move. Take action. Obediently. Not just now – but all year long.

Sitting back and wringing our hands about the crotchety state of affairs in the world, or in our nation, only holds us back. Instead, when life gets shut down, let’s look up, joining people like:

– Chef José Andrés, whose restaurant in Washington, D.C. is giving away free sandwiches to furloughed federal workers and their families, every day from 2 to 5 p.m., until the government shutdown ends and the workers are paid.

– Sister Norma Pimentel, of the Missionaries of Jesus in McAllen, Texas, serving hundreds of desperate migrant families every day at the Humanitarian Respite Center.

– And you? Perhaps you’re already doing your part to walk into this uncertain year with clarity of purpose and godly conviction. Indeed, to inspire and help people, and do that well.

Courageous, you wake up every morning, wrap on your mantle of bravery and move out with God. You inspire, indeed.

Which brings me to that pretty necklace.

Slipping it on, I looked at that word “courage” and I immediately saw its purpose – to evoke in me the deep person God keeps calling me to be. So I’m wearing the bauble often these days, proudly because I love its mandate.

To be strong AND courageous.

That’s how to look up when life shuts down. We look up to Him. He’s the One who sees us (Genesis 16:13). Thus, He knows us by name. This year, when He calls, let’s make it our best year – by doing the brave thing. Let’s answer yes.

Patricia Raybon is an award-winning author of books and essays on faith, race and grace.

To travel along on Patricia’s Faith Journey, please click here.

Any Scriptures quoted, unless noted otherwise, are the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.

Note: This page contains affiliate links.

(For daily inspiration, find Patricia’s books at bookstores everywhere. To get autographed copies, order at her little book shop here. Thank you.)

Photo Credits: Heather Ford at unsplash; Washington Post (Sister Norma Pimentel); World Central Kitchen (Chef José Andrés).