April 2016-
Passover is Great! Passover makes me think of Moses, which reminds me of one of my very favorite Biblical themes: the “Call Narrative.”
A “Call Narrative” is the part in so many biblical stories where God says something along the lines of, “Hey you, I want you to go and do this really important, scary job.”
Then the person says, “You’ve got the wrong person. “
“Nope, I’m sure I want you.”
“But I’m not good enough for these reasons…”
“I am God here and I’m sure you’re it.”
“But I’m scared. Will you come with me?”
“Yes, I am always with you.”
Then the person sets off the mission God has called them to.
When have you felt “Called” to do something “important and scary?” Perhaps you felt unworthy or ill-equipped. Perhaps it would have felt easier if you had just one person doing it with you?
Calling and Courage go together well as our Faith Development theme this month. In the month of April, you may feel called to church membership, to community or political involvement, to represent our church, to care for the Earth, to help those who are homeless, or to learn about injustice so that you might work for justice in the future. You may feel “called” in ways that bring up your fears and uncertainties. It is for this reason, that we also need courage.
Courage is not a once-in –a-lifetime thing, but an everyday living thing. As Rev. B. M. Liscord says, “It is the persistent acts of courage by ordinary people over time that creates lives of meaning and purpose, and bends the arc of history toward justice.”
Consider ways you can embrace “calling & courage” this month.
-Think of a moment when your courage failed you. What can you do now to honor the courage you wish you would have had?
-When have you been surprised by your own courage? Where did it come from?
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” -Winston Churchhill
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” -Mary Anne Radmacher
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.” -Ambrose Redmoon
“Love is the most difficult and dangerous form of courage. Courage is the most desperate, admirable, and noble kind of love.” -Delmore Schwartz