Spiritual Courage

Proverbs 3:6

We used to play a game at summer camp in which we would blindfold one of the kids and have him or her run through a wooded area, relying on a friend for verbal directions to help navigate. "Turn left there's a tree coming!" "there's a log in front of you....JUMP!" Some kids would not trust the verbal directions whatsoever. They would shuffle along and walk very slowly, even though their friends were shouting that the way was clear. Other kids would move along more confidently, and a few would run all out like wild animals. All of the kids had to fight the urge to rip off those blindfolds so that they could see what was ahead. It takes a great deal of courage to follow another persons lead.

As Christians we sometimes feel Look those blindfolded children. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "We live by faith, not by sight." We are not alone in the woods, though- God will direct our paths. But following Jesus Christ demands an enormous amount of courage. Quite often his leadings sound illogical, irrational, countercultural. Sometimes he is so challenging that I say, "No thanks, I'll just crawl back under the covers today, Lord....maybe tomorrow." Then a voice inside me says, "Where is your courage? Get up and move out on faith, you can trust God!"

Cowards do not last long on their spiritual pilgrimages. They shrivel up and disappear. It takes enormous courage to repent and become a Christian. It takes enormous courage to profess the gospel as a GLBT out and proud person. It takes enormous courage to follow Gods direction in this Christian life. Some of the things we are called to do are downright scary and challenging. Sometimes God demands the best that we have to offer. God tests our limits, and forces us to face our fears and doubts. Truly, spiritual courage is a rare find and not easy to come by. However, I believe that each and every one of us possesses it and we need only dig down deep and pull it up. The world needs more courageous Christians!!

Peace,
Robert