Courage

It has been said that, “Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.” I agree!

When I think about memorable times of courage in my own life, I recall several events. Walking in front of the congregation of my church at 9 years old to give my life to Christ and desire baptism. Giving my young testimony for the first time at Marietta Baptist camp at age 11 in front of the whole camp. Trying out for cheerleader at Clemson.

I certainly remember being a young mother. Learning to “stick” our 5 year old with needles daily…and learn all that was required of me in caring for our child with a chronic illness (this was a huge and scary challenge for me)…and recently the courage to sit at my mother’s side and watch her die. It seems the older I have gotten…I have needed more courage.

Where does courage come from? Ummmmm…… I have heard many people talk about courage. I have seen many movies that portray the courageousness of others. I have read books about people with great courage….and I have personally witnessed people showing great courage. :o) For me personally I can say that any courage I have experienced in my life has come from the LORD! It is God and God alone who has overwhelmed, ushered in and poured courage all in me and around me…as I have lived as a Jesus lover.

I absolutely love the story found in Acts chapter 5 of Peter and John testifying about Jesus and salvation to the Sanhedrin. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” The Sanhedrin was the supreme court or council in ancient Israel…a power to be reckoned with. They had the power to evoke a death sentence on anyone. Verse 13 states what the Sanhedrin saw in Peter and John when they were testifying, “When they saw the COURAGE of Peter and John and realized that they were ordinary men, they were ASTONISHED and they took note that these men had BEEN WITH JESUS” [emphasis mine].

So today I simply want to encourage you to BE with JESUS. Sit at His feet. Read, recite and remember His word. It allows you to KNOW His voice, to EXPERIENCE and FEEL HIS PRESENCE. It ushers in COURAGE.

I want to point out two very encouraging observations in Acts 5.

#1…it said that Peter and John were ORDINARY men.
#2…powerful people could SEE that they had been with Jesus.

So you see….when you have been with JESUS….people will see…the influence of Jesus in your life. You will gain COURAGE… an ASTONISHING COURAGE that others will see. He wants to be your “courage,” an “ever present help.” It’s okay to be ordinary. You don’t have to be extraORDINARY for others to see Jesus in you.

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” –C.S. Lewis

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