What pictures come into your mind when you hear the word COURAGE? Gallant knights with gleaming armor galloping full-speed toward a formidable foe. A diminutive Dutch lad with his finger pushed deep into the dike. Or maybe you see the colorful form of Pocahontas as she bends over John Smith, defying her own people to spare his life. History books are scattered with stories of brave and courageous people. The Bible is full of stories of courage as well. When I think of courage such names as Esther, Joshua, Elijah, and Abigail leap to my mind. Maybe you know someone personally who epitomizes the word COURAGE to you. My own husband, Ray, risked his life for mine in an almost fatal canoe accident. To me that speaks volumes of courage as well as love.
What made these people act as they did? What made them different or set them apart from the rest of the population? History and the Bible record their courageous deeds, making it easy for us to think that these people were never fearful—that courage was second-nature for them. And so, by reason of logic, we feel that courage should be second nature and come naturally to us. But did you ever stop to think that one of the reasons these stories were recorded is because they were out of the ordinary, not commonplace? All these people were human beings, and human beings have a rather long list of shortcomings and failures to their credit. If we had the privilege of knowing the thoughts and emotions of some of these COURAGEOUS people we might be a bit surprised. I imagine that Esther had some last-minute thoughts about an uninvited audience with the king. Elijah probably had a few jitters about a test of beliefs with 450 knife-carrying leaders from the opposing religion Abigail may have had a few choice words to say about the good-for-nothing husband she was trying to save. And Joshua may have even felt a little silly dressed up in his armor going for a stroll around Jericho every day for a week (early morning joggers were an unheard-of-commodity back then—especially joggers who invite a few thousand of their friends along!).
God didn't use these people because they were perfect. He used them because they were willing and had learned to follow His biddings even though they didn't always understand His ways. When they put themselves in His hands, He supplied the courage.
Courage doesn't mean not being afraid, not ever questioning. Courage doesn't mean a feeling of self-assurance and bravery. Courage means knowing God can take care of things in His way and time and being willing to say "yes" when He asks us to do something. There may be some things in your life right now that you are dreading to do, or maybe you fear the future and what it will bring. But with God's help you can be a woman of uncommon courage.
