Courage
Psalm 16, 17 • Psalm 22
Gen. 6:1-8 • Heb. 3:12-19 • John 2:1-12
There are many quotations about courage attributed to Sir Winston Churchill. Some factual and some fictional. One quote that is often attributed to him but lacks sourcing is still inspiring, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Another says, "For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." Today's reading calls us to courage.
One definition of courage is strength in the face of pain or grief. In our Psalms for today we find verses written in time of distress, yet they are written with joy. Not from some kind of naïve rose-colored view of the world, but with genuine hope. Have you ever found your hope tank on empty after the holidays? This can happen after a loss or when we find ourselves feeling lonely. We live in a constantly changing world and we seem more and more to be surround by endless cynicism and anger. Families and friends are split by those who would stoke anger and fear for power. The Earth is melting. Literally. People have closed their unfeeling hearts [and] with their mouth speak proudly" (Psalm 17:10).
In these times, we need courage more than ever. The Apostle Paul reminds us that while there is still a "today" we must press on. We must continue to encourage one another so that no one be hardened (Hebrews 3:12). So today hold on. Trust God like Mary trusted Jesus at the wedding in Cana. Follow her words to the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it" because God will deliver the good wine. And when your tank is empty, fill it by the words of the courageous. Borrow their strength. In the words of Frederick Douglas remember, "If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground (Selected Speeches & Writings). Trust the words of Harriet Tubman, "God's time is always near. He set the North Star in the heavens; He gave me the strength in my limbs; He meant I should be free (Harriet Tubman to Ednah Dow Cheney, New York City, circa 1859). And in the words of the Negro Spiritual, "roll Jordan roll...Jordan's river is rolling, cross it I tell you, cross it...[be] bound for the promise land" (The River Jordan). Take refuge in the Lord and know there is no good outside Him.
Written by Jonathan Wright
Jonathan is a native of Atlanta, GA, and a new member to St. Paul's. An Episcopalian of just around 2 years, Jonathan moved to the parish from the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark in Salt Lake City, UT.