Have Courage

“Have courage and be kind” is a mantra from the new Disney live-action Cinderella movie that I really love.  The fact is that it takes courage to be kind to others.  It’s easy and often cowardly to be mean-spirited and selfish.  To have awareness of the needs of the people around you and do something meaningful to meet those needs is both kind and courageous!

When we look at how we are called to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God, we are walking into an unknown future.  Much like Joshua did when entering the promised land without his leader and mentor, Moses.  The book of Joshua begins with the admonition from God to “be very strong and courageous”.  Do not get discouraged.  The key of “courage” comes from the word “coeur” meaning heart.  It is basically telling us to “not lose heart”.  The reason we are enabled to have courage at all comes from Joshua 1:9, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  When God is with us, whenever and wherever we go… we can shore up our hearts.  We can be strong, courageous, and kind.  We can do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God because we are not alone.

Where is God calling you to walk courageously?  Is it to care for a neighbor or a friend?  Is it to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in crisis?  Is it to bring a meal to a grieving family?  Is it to join others standing for justice and mercy and righteousness in our nation?  This winter, we will explore specific ways we can work for justice in the world, love others with mercy, and walk humbly with God.  I hope you join us in worship as we walk with God on this journey.

Most Gracious and all wise God; Before whose face the generations rise and fall; Thou in whom we live, and move, and have our being. We thank thee for all of thy good and gracious gifts, for life and for health; for food and for raiment; for the beauties of nature and the love of human nature.
We come before thee painfully aware of our inadequacies and shortcomings. We realize that we stand surrounded with the mountains of love and we deliberately dwell in the valley of hate.
We stand amid the forces of truth and deliberately lie; We are forever offered the high road and yet we choose to travel the low road.
For these sins O God forgive.
Break the spell of that, which blinds our minds. Purify our hearts that we may see thee. O God in these turbulent days when fear and doubt are mounting high give us broad visions, penetrating eyes, and power of endurance.
Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, for a better distribution of wealth, and for a brotherhood that transcends race or color. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.