It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote in Self-Reliance…
God will not have his work made manifest by cowards.
I’ve been thinking about that quote over the past couple of days. Especially as I’ve watched the media coverage of the whole Terri Schiavo affair.
I see pictures of people praying in front of the 11th US Circuit Court building in Atlanta, people praying at the hospice where Ms. Schiavo is, and even people getting arrested for trying to take her a simple drink of water.
I’m not sure of all the ins and outs of the Schiavo case. I don’t know where you stand on the case. But there comes a point in our lives when we have to grow a backbone and take a stand. For something. For truth. For righteousness. For something!
These people – good people on all sides, perhaps – came to Atlanta and Florida because they believed in something strongly enough to take a stand.
I’ve learned over 20+ years in “the ministry” (insert pious tone and stained-glass organ music right here!) to really be Mr. Willy Nilly, Mr. Wishy Washy, Mr. Avoid Conflict and Keep Everybody Happy. I pray those days are coming to an end…
Some more thoughts on courage…
Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.” -Mary Anne Radmacher
Courage is the power to let go of the familiar. -Raymond Lindquist
You will never do anything worthwhile in this world without courage. – James Allen
Be strong and (very) courageous! -God, Joshua 1:6, 7, 9
