March: Courage

Resolution: I choose to live boldly with a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, in spite of fear.

The Latin root of the word courage is cor, or “heart.” The concept of courage as “heart” positions like two points on an axis. On one side, courage is what we most commonly envision--bravery, heroic acts, valor. On the other side, there is the subtlety of courage--to speak what is on one’s heart. It is an inner strength that may not be demonstrated by an act of power, but a fortitude to face a difficult conversation. Brene Brown says:

Courage is a heart word.... In one of its earliest forms, the word courage meant "To speak one's mind by telling all one's heart." Over time, this definition has changed, and today, we typically associate courage with heroic and brave deeds. But in my opinion, this definition fails to recognize the inner strength and level of commitment required for us to actually speak honestly and openly about who we are and about our experiences - good and bad. Speaking from our hearts is what I think of as "ordinary courage.”

2 Timothy 1:7 says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” This passage should be compelling. God promises something other than fear. He will give us power, love, and self-control. Power if we need to respond to fear with bravery, love if we need to respond to fear with compassion, and self-control if we need to respond to fear by overcoming our own lack of discipline. If we are called upon to take a dramatic stand against injustice, we will have the power. If we need to forgive someone who has deeply harmed us, we will have love. If we need to simplify our lives in our gluttonous culture, we will have the self-control.

In March we begin, or maybe continue, the season of Lent. Lent symbolizes Jesus’ time in the wilderness. He fasted for 40 days and was tempted by Satan on three different occasions (see Luke 4:1-3). He demonstrated power when tempted to reveal His divinity too soon. He showed love and trust in His father when tempted to short-cut the divine plan to achieve victory over death via the cross. And He had to summon self-control when tempted to turn stones into bread. Jesus embodied courage. Let us follow Jesus’ footsteps as we choose to live with courage.

March: Liturgy

Leader: Almighty Father, You inspired the prophets of old to speak truth to oppressive powers and not be silent about Your desire for Your people. Give us courage to do likewise and be bold in this unjust world.

People: Father, grant us courage to stand for what is true.

Leader: Lord Jesus, You modeled courage for us in the wilderness by not giving in to the lures of earthly temptations. During this season, strip us of all sinful desires so that we may serve the one true God alone.

People: Jesus, show Your power through our weakness.

Leader:  Holy Spirit, Source of our courage, give us clear minds to live boldly during these difficult times. Convict us of individual and societal sin; give us courage to speak and act against evil forces bent on destruction.

People: Spirit, empower us to overcome our fears and instill courage in others.