Have you ever wondered where a person gets the courage to face ridicule, sickness, punishment, death, and even torture? Acts of courage are a wonder and have been a mystery to me. What makes someone stick with their beliefs in the face of fear, hold their convictions in the wake of persecution, and choose certain death rather than forge an easier path? Today, we will look at the courage of conviction, the courage in cancer, and the courage of the cross. May we walk away from this reading with a little courage we can tuck under our belts for a future battle.
"Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage and showing courage mean we face our fears. We are able to say, 'I have fallen, but I will get up.’” Maya Angelou
The Courage of the Conviction
The courage behind the recent American holiday supersedes BBQ and fireworks, although I relish both. When they put quill to parchment on that fateful day in 1776, they effectually signed their death warrant. The Declaration of Independence, an act of treason against the crown, was punishable by the grizzly end of being hung, drawn, and quartered if they lost. With a slim chance of victory, they soberly signed their names one by one. They chose this because they’d rather die than live under tyranny. However, when Christ chose the cross, He knew the impact of each form of torture He would endure. It was not only the greatest courage but inspired by the most profound and selfless act of love.
"Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8
Courage and Cancer
People see courage in cancer patients; some have told me I was courageous. Like most cancer patients, I didn’t feel particularly brave. I was, however, decisive and resolved, which looked a lot like courage. My compliments weren’t with me in the middle of the night when all was quiet, and the fear was deafening. They didn’t see me forcing deep breaths and employing every calming technique I knew. Courage isn’t the lack of fear; on the contrary, it’s a decision. It was to pull out God’s word and speak it, “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.” I determined to hold tight to God’s promise over every other thought or fear. It wasn’t brave; it was merely a decision weighted with purpose, promise, desperation, and hope for the future.
"For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:7 WEB
The Courage of the Cross
Jesus didn’t have to come to earth at all. He wasn’t living under tyranny when He chose to humble himself for a humiliating and excruciating death. He was enthroned in heaven when He chose to take on the body of a human and endure the torture and ridicule of the cross. I wonder if, while hanging on that cross or suffering in the garden, the human part of Jesus wondered if it was worth it. Did He have any doubts? How did He keep from turning back from being confounded? Were there moments of weakness? I believe the human part of Him called out to His Father, asking why He was forsaken, but I feel Jesus had utter resolve.
"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Psalm 118:17 KJV
Courage is a Decision
Courage is not just a state of mind, though you must maintain a state of mind to be courageous. Courage is a decision—a decision to ignore the doubts, fears, and torment and do what you know you should. Denial doesn’t hold up against persecution. To be truly courageous, it’s important to feel that fear and to count the costs ahead of time. At the thought of the cross, Jesus sweated blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. Hebrews 12:2 provides us with his process. He endured the cross for the promise of our reconciliation with God. This punishment He would take for us He did with the promise of a joyful reunion between God and us, God’s beloved. It was the joy that compelled Him, the promise of hope that propelled Him, and the love that held Him to the cross.
"Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 WEB
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for your mighty act of love and your journey of courage to and on the cross that reconciled us to God the Father. Please open my eyes to see what courage truly is and how to be courageous. Please provide me with that goal, that foresight, and lead me in the directions in my life that will enable me to be courageous in my decisions. Thank you, Jesus, for your mighty sacrifice for me.
Poem
Since we just celebrated Independence Day, I thought I’d include the poem below.
