Be Strong and Courageous

The first thing that I remember doing that took courage was my second roller coaster ride. Yes, you read that right – my second roller coaster ride. The first roller coaster ride wasn’t too hard. I remember it was one of those little ones at the county fair that just goes in a big oval and up and down around the curve. I got on the ride with my big sister, and about thirty seconds later my sister is waving down the operator and making him stop to let me get off the ride, a crying mess. There was nothing brave about that! That experience shaped my whole view of roller coasters. Fast forward five years or so, and I’m at Disney World with my family. My dad convinced me to go on one of the roller coasters there (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad). I still remember standing in line, shaking, and looking to him for reassurance and comfort before we even got on. As we approached the front of the line I remember thinking there was still time to get out. I could step into that train car, take two steps and step right off onto the exit side. But I didn’t. I stepped in, sat down, pulled that bar down across my legs and my dad’s belly, wondering if it was actually going to keep me from flying out, and held on for dear life. The result: It was EXHILARATING! I absolutely loved it!

My parents took our family to Disneyland a couple of years ago and I found myself in that same situation with each of my kids. My son Josiah decided on one roller coaster that he wanted to go on, and my youngest son, Elijah, did as well. Elijah’s first roller coaster was Go-Go Gadget and as afraid as he was, he followed in his mother’s footsteps. There was one difference – we got to the front of the line and we ended up in the very front car! My sweet boy tried to put on the bravest face he could in that moment and I am guessing the thoughts running through his head were similar to mine on my second roller coaster ride.  The ride started and E loved it! He got off and wanted to go again (but tomorrow, not right away). The next time we went on the ride, I captured another photo. Here are the two next to each other:

 

Wrapped up in these two pictures are the things that I consider significant moments in my ‘courage’ book. First, riding a roller coaster, and second becoming a parent (that's another post for another day).

 

Joshua 1:9 is a popular verse. It is God talking to Joshua as he's preparing to take over Moses' role as leader of Israel. God tells Joshua to "be strong and courageous." If you read the story from the beginning, this is actually the third time that he commands this of Joshua. At first I wondered why Joshua needed to be told to be strong and courageous. He had been there with Moses through so many things and saw God do amazing works. He also saw the people rebel against God, Moses obey and then disobey, and the discipline of God. Yes, there were plenty of reasons for him to be strong and courageous.

 

Joshua's book (literally, he has a book in the Bible) of strength and courage has spoken to me in a big way over the past month or so. I have been reading and reflecting and wrestling with some questions in my own life. This week I made a decision that I didn't see coming - to leave a ministry that I was called to, love, and have been a part of from its inception. I am no Joshua, but I can relate to him in a new way. He had seen God perform miracles, saw it happen firsthand, and yet he needed God to command him (and remind him and then tell him again) to be strong and courageous. What I've learned is that following God in faith is a strong and courageous thing to do. One decision, one seemingly small-in-the-scheme-of-creation "no" to myself and "yes" to God when I have no idea what is in store is my own strong and courageous action.

Being strong and courageous isn't always about the big battles in life, but it is the small acts of obedience to God.