COURAGE UP CLOSE

 

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,
and He shall strengthen thine heart:
wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm 27:14

Courage: the ability to do something that frightens one; strength in the face of pain or grief.

Have you, like me, met courage personified in the lives of so many who have had to face the most difficult of circumstances of life? I can't even count those I have watched...some up close...some at a distance, who had to walk what seems like too many difficult and rocky paths. 

When I think of courage, I think of our men and women in blue who every day get in their squad cars in cities and towns all over our country just to keep you and me safe. I also think of the courage of those family members who kiss those men and women goodbye as they leave for their shifts to their assigned “beats.” I often think the same of our firefighters who often have to go into dangerous situations to save lives. It's not that hard for me to look at these brave people as being more than courageous.

I think the same of our military personnel stationed all over the world, many of whom are in dangerous countries where life is threatened on a minute by minute basis. They seem to take it all in stride...(”It's our job.”) They too have said farewell to friends and family, not knowing when and if they will return again or in what condition. Courage?...I would say so.

We all know, however, courage isn't just for those who work and live in harm's way. I have friends who are caregivers. For some, their loved ones have Alzheimers or dementia of some sort. Many of these folks have to have constant care, often the kind of care one would give to a small child. I have had friends who have Down's Syndrome children or children born handicapped in some way. These are children who often grow up into adulthood physically, but still needing the special attention and care one might give a child. I've seen men who have come back from military service, who have had to have artificial limbs because of war injuries. There are those who live in constant pain from arthritis or painful bone conditions. I can't forget those with cancer who bravely and yes, courageously fight a fight for life through many kinds of treatment that hurt, cause discomfort and even affect ones physical appearance. With courage and hope, they fight by living life one day at a time.

In life, there are times when some smaller things take huge courage. I think of dad's who sit in the passenger seat of a car while his teenager begins to learn the art of driving. It takes great courage for many folks to go into a dentist's office even for a checkup. Riding a Ferris wheel takes courage for some and that would include me and don't even talk to me about zip lines.

When we first moved to Austin Texas after having resided in the Dallas, Texas area, I went to lunch with a new friend. As we were preparing to pay our checks, I noticed a display against the wall behind the cashier that was loaded down with coffee/soup mugs of every sort and size. One caught my eye right away. It had western-type colors with a very handsome face on it....yep, it was the Duke himself, John Wayne. He's been a favorite of mine for more years than I care to count. His westerns were and still are about the only ones without curse words except for a word that mentions where the Devil lives. Couldn't pass up that mug so purchased it. I still have it and hate the thought of ever breaking it.

One of the things I love about that mug is what is written on the inside that encourages me every time I see it. I usually use this mug for hot soup, so when holding the handle with my right hand and taking a sip, there on the inside/side is a quote from good ole John, and it's pretty good theology. He said, “Courage is being afraid and saddling up anyway.” I love that. I think I've written it in the front of a couple of my Bibles. When we're nervous, fearful or panic stricken, we don't feel like “saddling up” and moving forward. However, that's what courage does.

The other day, I sat in a doctor's waiting room feeling on the fearful side. I smiled as I recalled that wise statement. I knew even though I didn't feel like it, I had to saddle up. Then when taken to an injection room, I was reminded of Psalm 27 for many reasons, but especially thinking of waiting on Jesus and taking courage from Him.

Could there ever have been anyone more courageous than Jesus as He bore His own cross to Golgotha's hill where He willingly died for you and me. I don't deserve a drop of blood He shed for me so surely I can gain courage from the most courageous One who ever lived. So dear friend, whatever your situation or the battle you face, be of good courage and saddle up anyway.

Thank You Jesus for dying for us and completing that with victory over death. Because of your loving courage, we too can face the fiercest of storms or the quietest of concerns. We love You and thank You for being who You are in our lives. In Your precious name....Amen