God's Courage Is Not in Short Supply

Ever since September 11, 2001 the words “bravery” and “courage” are spoken out loud once again. That’s a good thing. But since we use those words, almost exclusively, to pay tribute to rescue workers and soldiers, real heroes, we sometimes forget what Jesus said to his disciples during their last meal together, "Be of good courage, for I have conquered the world" John 16:33.

Courage is a word that Paul frequently heard from the Lord, and spoke boldly to his believing companions. Paul understood clearly that what Jesus stood on and stood for required courageous acts. So Paul, and others whom God called to be early followers of The Way, took courage and en-couraged one another.

Since so few of us take the daily risks that rescue workers and soldiers do, we may not think that what we do, and how we do it, requires courage. Or, if we think of ourselves as needing courage, we think we have to dig deep within ourselves and "tough it out on our own."

But I'll bet that if you take five minutes to name three people you know, a cousin, a co-worker, and a friend, you'll be able to see at least seven acts of courage. You may know someone who is raising children alone; "How on earth does he do that?" You may see someone who, each day, struggles through the unexpected loss of a loved one; "I don't see how she carries on." You may know someone who keeps a home, gets to work, goes to school, keeps up with friends and volunteers in the community; "How can one person keep all that up?"

Because you're able to spot courage, naming it and claiming it when you see it, look in the mirror. I'd be willing to bet that God has given you power to not only make a difference in the world, but to join Jesus in making a new world. That's what's happening at First Trinity.

Like Paul and those early disciples, people who worship here are not only hearing a word of courage, we're sharing and en-couraging one another. That's not only making a difference in how we speak to God, it's making a difference in how we hear from God. There are very few heroes in our midst, but the courage displayed by those who wait on the Lord comes in a variety of amazing "packages." And that's a good thing.

It would be our honor to share and celebrate God's gift of courage to you.