Courage: Doing what is right, especially when it is difficult.
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1
Lately my son, Carter, has been fascinated with the World Trade Center. He’s always been intrigued by buildings of various types, and loves to draw them and build them with wood planks, but his interest in the Twin Towers has led him to getting several books about them. One such book is a large, coffee table style book from Time about 9/11. Every time he starts perusing the book I find myself, not-so-subtely, looking over his shoulder. It starts off with the design and construction of the towers, and then gives a minute by minute review of the events of September 11th, 2001.
Like most of you, I have vivid memories of that day, and the changes it wrought in the world. In fact, many of the veterans that we recognize today served as a direct result of the events of 9/11. I use that book, and those images to remind my son about the reality of evil in the world. What those terrorists did on 9/11 was an act of pure evil. We simply cannot afford to forget that.
On the other hand, the book is also filled with images of pure heroism and courage. There was the Roman Catholic priest who ran to ground zero to administer last rights to people who were dead and dying, only to be struck by a piece of falling debris and die himself. The unforgettable picture of a fire engine making it’s way to Manhattan over one of the numerous New York City bridges. I don’t remember what engine it was, but I know that no one in that truck survived that day. Pictures of first responders and regular people heading into the buildings to rescue those they could. The list goes on. Courage is running toward the danger. Courage is doing what is right, especially when it is difficult. It takes tremendous courage to run into a burning building instead of away from it. It takes courage to go towards a hail of gunfire. It takes courage to sign on the dotted line, not knowing where that commitment might take you. It takes courage to stand boldly on God's Word and truth even when the world ridicules and blasphemes that name of Christ.
As Christians we are called to be, “bold as a lion.” We can be bold because we know who we belong to, and that same God rules the world and everything in it. Our confidence, that breeds courage, is not rooted in our own abilities, or talents, or goodness. It is grounded in the character and nature of God, and a knowledge of his promises to us. We don’t need to be skittish, fearing every bump in the night, because we serve the Almighty God. He is the true “Lion of Judah” but even baby lions learn how to roar and do liony things by watching their parents. How Heavenly Father has not given us a spirit of fear, and if he is for us, of whom shall we be afraid? Surely, we can be bold and courageous in the spiritual battles we face on a daily basis, and the circumstances that we encounter in life because we are found securely in the hands of Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Christian Herring
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