Courage
"We were made to be courageous" is a main line in the song. It got me thinking about all the times in the Bible that God tells us to be courageous. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9.
Some people are afraid to be afraid. Crazy risks, deeds of derring-do, acts of rebellion simply to prove they aren't afraid, but it simply highlights the fact that they fear to be themselves, to acknowledge common sense and rationality. It takes courage to acknowledge reasonable fear.
Many, many people are afraid to be themselves. They hide behind drugs, alcohol, and obsessive/compulsive behaviors. It's hard to look at yourself and agree with the flaws. It takes courage to be transparent.
I've seen acts of courage. My friend Tim died the most courageous man I ever knew, smiling at me the last time I saw in him in the hospital. When Angie died she was courageous, and so were her husband and young daughter, who are still courageous now that Angie is gone. People in the Cancer Center are fantastically courageous. I can't even get my head around that strength.
The people in Rwanda, Africa, members of the churches planted by my dear friend and hero Bishop Pastor Muhoza Lewi, are all courageous. They face trials daily simply to survive, trials that I cannot even fathom. I was inconvenienced that I couldn't find a Big Mac over there. I was totally distraught that I couldn't find pickles.
There is courage everywhere, but I notice that the most courageous realize a couple things.
1. Life has no guarantees. We choose our own attitudes.
3. We are spiritual beings in a physical world. Even Yoda knew this, but it's harder for real people to get a grip on it. " Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter."
When I was young, maybe tenth grade, I wrote the following for an assignment: Courage, not measured by the courageous, but by onlookers. True courage, though, seems rare to me.
Of course I could be wrong. Maybe courage isn't as rare as I think. It takes courage to be wrong, too.
Courageous lyrics
ReplyDelete[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/courageous-lyrics.html ]
we were made to be courageous
we were made to lead the way
we could be the generation that finally breaks the chains
we were made to be courageous
we were made to be courageous
we were warriors on the front lines,
standing unafraid.
but now we're watchers on the side lines,
while our families slip away.
where are you men of courage?
you were made for so much more.
let the pounding of our hearts cry,
we will serve the Lord.
we were made to be courageous,
and were taking back the fight.
we were made to be courageous,
and it starts with us tonight.
the only way we'll ever stand,
is on our knees with lifted hands.
make us courageous,
Lord make us courageous.
this is our resolution, our answer to the call,
we will love our wives and children,
and refuse to let them fall.
we will reignite the passion,
that we buried deep inside.
may the watchers become warriors,
let the men of God arise.
Chorus
Background:
seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God
seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God
Lead singer:
In the war of the mind i will make my stand,
in the battle of the heart, in the battle of the hands.
in the war of the mind i will make my stand,
in the battle of the heart, in the battle of the hands
"Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace."
ReplyDeleteI like that quote, and I think lately I've forgotten to choose my own attitude. I've remembered that control is an illusion, alright, but I've forgotten that I can choose not to let that bother me.
I strive to be courageous, at least. I don't know if I'll get there, but I'll keep trying.
Courage is displayed only as we try to be courageous. When we give up, courage is lost.
ReplyDeleteYou are, my dear, most courageous. As with all of us, though, there is an ebb and flow.