courage

In the face of disaster and tragedy, it is terrible to feel that there is nothing we can do. But here’s what Christians can do that the rest of society cannot: we can be the change we wish most to see.

Nebraska cheerleader Katrina Kohel demonstrated incredible courage and perseverance when her entire squad quit just before the championships. Rather than back out, Katrina stunned the crowd by bravely performing the team’s routine all on her own!

It should be noted that choosing against culture always comes at a cost. It is far easier to float with the current than to swim against it. Living biblically in an unbiblical culture especially requires courage, as the members of the Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith” vividly remind us.

Therapists remind us that we cannot change the minds of others merely through the explanation of facts. If people do not want to change, they are unlikely to change. However, we can demonstrate the transforming personal relevance of biblical truth so fully and powerfully that others may want what we have. As we have noted this week, living boldly and courageously for our Lord is vital to our souls and to our culture.

In this day of global social media and connectivity, a single courageous Christian like Anatoly can make global headlines and a global impact. As with Isaiah of old, a single committed believer can use his or her influence to make a difference that will echo in eternity.

This week, we have focused on the need for Christians to choose courageous hope in the face of rising cultural opposition. We have identified the three components of hope, discussed the need for sacrificial faith in helping our nation turn to God and his word, and embraced God’s call to empowering boldness through dependent prayer. Today, let’s turn for encouragement to this paradoxical fact: our highest sacrifice for Jesus in this world leads instantly to the highest reward in the next.

In a divided world, Christians must dig deep and find the courage to vehemently trust in and defend the Lord.

The Abolition of Man is a book critically important for our cultural moment. In the book’s opening essay, C.S. Lewis thoroughly critiques modern education which, he says, fills students’ heads with knowledge and their bellies with passion, but does nothing to cultivate the chest.

Yesterday, we discussed the courage that is needed in a “post-truth” culture to tell people truth they don’t want to hear. Today, let’s close our week-long conversation about truth by focusing on the courage God’s people have always needed to follow him fully in a fallen world.

In a culture where so many are convinced that “their” truth is “the” truth, it takes genuine courage to speak truth that others don’t want to hear. But such courage is part of what it means to follow Jesus in a fallen world.