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Courage.
It's a concept that sometimes gets confused with lots of other things. Sometimes it is portrayed as though it was about taking a "dare" of some kind. Other times it is thought of in reactive rather than active terms (how I respond to what scares me, rather than a way that I live no matter what). Too often it is seen as aggressive or even hostile in relation to what we may be afraid of . . . something that takes it's cues from fear.
But that is not to say that courage it is simply passive or non-responsive either. In fact, courage might very well involve intentionally putting oneself at risk, which is not always an easy thing to do.
So just what do we mean by courage anyway? That is the question that the Calimesa Pathfinders explore with us as they lead out in the worship service this week. If you want an audio recording of how this was presented, you can listen in by clicking here. (It's not quite the same as being there, but its the best we can do after the fact!)
Key Courage Concepts to Ponder
Courage is less about how we react to what scares us as it is about our willingness to continue to keep our eyes on Jesus and follow Him, even when it is hard.
Courage involves not taking our cues from fear, but rather taking our cues from love.
The armor of God is less about insulating us from tough things in the world or giving us the means by which we attack an enemy, as it is about strengthening us to be the kind of people God has called us to be, no matter what we have to face.
Courage is less about being fearless, and more about allowing love to be strongest.
Fighting is much easer than loving, but loving is what Jesus has invited us to do.
The image of courageous spiritual warfare that Jesus portrayed is not that of a aggressive deity (or a follower of that god) seeking to take out their opponent, but of a God Who washes the feet of His betrayer, tells Peter to put his sword away, and seeks forgiveness even for those who are nailing Him to a cross.
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Winston Churchill
“It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world - and moral courage so rare”
Mark Twain
“True courage is not the brutal force of vulgar heroes, but the firm resolve of virtue and reason.”
Alfred North Whitehead
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear”
Ambrose Redmoon
Ephesians 6:10-20 (TNIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
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