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Step Out of Line

Courage Boldness Women's Concerns

Source: "Alex Borstein's powerful Emmys speech grabs attention: 'Step out of line, ladies'" Morgan Hines Bill Keveney, USA TODAY, 9/22/19

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2025-09-24

Scripture: Psalms 23:4 ; 2 Corinthians 1:7

Author: Illustration Exchange
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ILLUSTRATION

PEOPLE Magazine relays the details of the Emmy Award acceptance speech of actress Alex Borstein in 2019 as she paid homage to her grandmother "who barely survived the Holocaust.":

Alex Borstein took home the Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series ... Borstein paid respect to her grandmother, who barely survived the Holocaust.  "I want to dedicate this to the strength of a woman ... She was in line to be shot into a pit and she said, 'What happens if I step out of line?' .... And he said, 'I don't have the heart to shoot you but somebody will.'  ... And she stepped out of line." ... Because of her grandmother's decision, she is here and her children are here, she said. "So, step out of line, ladies," she said. "Step out of line."

For video of the speech, click here and navigate to minute 2:10.

APPLICATION

While the emphasis of her speech was decidedly to encourage women, specifically, to be brave, to be bold, the story is universal in its application. 

There will be times in life when our backs are up against the wall (or our feet are at the edge of a pit with a gun pressed to our back). In those moments, don't let the world and its values (or lack thereof) run roughshod over you. Don't cower before those who persecute, abuse, or bully you.

Be bold. Be brave. Dare to "step out of line."

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4, ESV).

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Corinthians 1:7, ESV).
 

 

And the Survey Says - Christians Don't Witness As They Should

Witness Boldness Gospel

Source: "Most Open to Spiritual Conversations, Few Christians Speaking," by Aaron Earls, Feb 22, 2022

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2022-05-20

Scripture: Acts 10:42 ; 1 Corinthians 9:16

Author: Illustration Exchange
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ILLUSTRATION

An Evangelism Explosion survey of 1002 Americans conducted by Lifeway Research in December 2021 found an alarming disparity between unbelievers’ openness to talking about spiritual things and Christians’ willingness to actually speak about them.*

Some key takeaways from the survey are as follows:

  • 71% say that it is very important to have hope in their life
  • 74% say that it is very important to have peace in their life
  • 66% say that it is very important to have purpose and fulfillment in their life 
  • 55% say that it is very important to have certainty they will go heaven or have eternal life
  • 61% say their interest in spiritual matters hasn’t changed compared to before COVID-19, but 32% are more interested
  • 66% say they are open or very open to having a conversation about the Christian faith with a friend
  • 52% say they are open or very open to having a conversation about the Christian faith with a stranger
  • 65% say they are open or very open to talking with a friend about having a relationship with God
  • 53% say they are open or very open to talking with a stranger about having a relationship with God
  • 71% say when meeting someone new,  they are open or very open to hearing their life story
  • 69% want to hear why someone thinks their faith helps with a core human need
  • 4 out of 10 (40%) say they wouldn’t think about faith on their own if a friend or family member didn’t bring it up
  • 51% are curious as to why some people are devoted to their faith
  • 6 out of 10 (60%) say that many of their friends who claim to be Christians rarely talk about their faith


“This study reveals that most Americans are open to talking about faith,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research.

But the sad, sorry realization is that the conversation is simply not happening as often as it ought. 

Why is that? Can we blame cancel culture? The current war on Christianity? Closed mindedness on the part of the masses? New restrictions on religious liberty?

“It really isn’t about religious liberty, people not wanting to hear, or religion being off-limits. The reason conversations are not happening about the Christian faith is that Christians are not bringing it up.”

“Now, perhaps more than ever, people are open to conversations about faith [A whopping 32% of respondents said that since COVID, they are MORE open to talking about spiritual things], yet few Christians actually take the opportunity to engage in personal evangelism,” says Dr. John B. Sorensen, President and CEO of Evangelism Explosion International. 

At a time when “one in 5 religiously unaffiliated Americans (20%) say they are more interested in spiritual matters,” it is heartbreaking to find that some 60% report that their “friends who claim to be Christians rarely talk about their faith.”

 

 

*About 38% of respondents were identified as already having some measure of Christian belief.

APPLICATION

It’s hard to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” when we can’t seem to open our mouths to speak to our neighbors and friends. How can we close our lips when he has “commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42).

“For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (I Cor. 9:16 ESV)

I May Be Small, But God Is Backing Me Up

Power Success Boldness

Contributed By: Roger Teal | Date Posted: 2016-02-14

Scripture: Judges 6:12 ; 2 Corinthians 12:10

Author: Roger Teal
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ILLUSTRATION

When God came to Gideon, He called him a warrior. Gideon didn't see himself as a warrior. In fact, he said he was from the weakest clan and he was the least of his clan. Gideon also questioned God's ability to work in his life. He wanted to know why God had abandoned them. He wanted to know where all the wonders were that his fathers had told him about.

APPLICATION

Many people are just like Gideon. They see themselves as weak and of little value. They often ask "Why did this happen to me?" or "Where was God when I needed him?" But God didn't see him as weak or of little value. God called him a warrior.

Never underestimate something because it seems to be small. David's bothers underestimated him, but the guy who underestimated him the most was Goliath, and he lost his life.

How can something or someone so small be so powerful? 

It's like the movie Lion King  when Simba was a Cub and the hyenas had him cornered. When he roared, they laughed at him. So he roared again, only this time they cower down and whimper. Why? Because Simba had someone backing him up--when he roared, Mufasa roared behind him. 

It doesn't matter how small or weak you are, as long as you have someone big and strong backing you up. Gideon was a warrior because God had his back.    

"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

2012 The Year of the Outspoken Christian Athlete

Boldness Witness Devotion

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2013-12-28

Scripture: Colossians 3:17 ; Colossians 3:24

Author: Jesse Carey, Contributor, RELEVANT Magazine
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Even Superman Ducks!

God's Love Boldness Affliction

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-12-06

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:16

Author: Mitchell Dillon
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Phobias from A to Z

Fear Maturity Boldness

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-08-12

Scripture: 1 John 4:18

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Declaration of Love

Love (Divine) Love (Human) Boldness

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-06-20

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Author: Bill Hybels
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Stand Up, Sit Down Courage

Courage Listening Boldness

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-05-04

Scripture: Philippians 1:20

Author: Winston Churchill
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Bible Distribution Gets the Royal Treatment

Evangelism Boldness Opportunity

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-05-03

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Slay A Dragon Today!

Fear Boldness Opportunity

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-02-13

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:12

Author: Roger Von Oech
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