From the Pastor's Desk
"Our Courageous Selves" by Rev. Nena Radtke
"The Lord is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?. . .Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid." (Psalm 27:1-3)
The Bible is full of courageous characters and brave acts of mythological proportions. But bravery doesn't mean an absence of fear. Bravery is neither foolhardy nor one dimensional. Part of bravery is confronting our fears rather than negating or burying them to fester.
A colleague of mine once stated that she would rather fly with a pilot who has a healthy dose of fear--neither fearless nor fearful. Fear in this context was more akin to a keen sense of awareness of one's surroundings. It was training for and possessing the knowledge to handle the inevitable bumps. it was having a vision of where you want to go. It was having a steady hand to make course corrections. And, it was understanding the importance of having a co-pilot and a ground crew.
Jesus, likewise, teaches us that sometimes it takes courage to follow His ways--and our heart's callings. When our inner "what-if" voices gravitate toward a rapid risk-based assessment, He's already shown us that we can deal with the inevitable bumps in the road. When we're apt to "self-mute," He invites us to share our voices as an essential way for us to have an impact. And when we are tired he invites us to take breathers--because we need them.
Jesus builds a compassionate community so that none of us needs to feel alone. Despite trembling in their new venture, members of the early church work together to take their first tenuous steps amidst all odds. They strengthen as they share communal stories of the now risen Christ. They strengthen as they pray and share life-giving bread with one another. They grow in love and numbers as they care for all those whom Jesus cared for. And they work toward a new vision of the kingdom that takes on the challenge of an empire.
Jesus teaches us that courage is not the absence of fear. Rather courage is doing what is caring and just even when we are afraid.
Abiding God of abundant love, we thank you for a community that understands our fears and strengthens us in your love. We are thankful in knowing that we are stronger together. Amen
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