COURAGE IS AN INNER RESOLUTION TO GO FORWARD DESPITE OBSTACLES – Martin Luther King Jr

What is courage? Is it a gift that is given to just a few people? If not, then what does it take to live a life of courage? Well, unwavering courage has been something I have been pondering about these past few months. Perhaps, it is because as I pray about God’s Call in my life, I feel at times inadequate for what I know deep within is the insistent mission tasks God seems to ask of me! 

To be conscious to always do God’s Will is by itself a great life lesson in living with courage. I have definitely found it is much easier to live according to my human will – as then I just have to think about my own needs and expectations. But I have realized one very important truth – if I am a Christian, then I must ALWAYS live my life with courage! Not just once in a while but with a deep conviction in my heart at all times.

“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what Is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.” (Romans 12:2) – how often I have read this Word of God but it just in this past few weeks that it has really penetrated and taken root in my heart.

I have to admit that regardless of serving fulltime in a mission, I am guilty of going through periods when I get doubts in my mind. My heart’s conviction is always constant – yet my mind seems to get planted with questions that disturb my inner peace. It usually happens just as I am focussing on some new ministry projects. When I look back, I wonder why I get this “anxiety” periods knowing that in all the previous instances, Our Lord has never forsaken me when I say “Yes” to the personal mission undertaking He asks of me.  I realize it is my human self-will when I do not want to face difficult hardships and obstacles that suddenly sprout and tire me out just as I am all set on beginning my new mission projects. How nice it would be for once to engage in mission work with no sufferings! That is the paradox! Here I am seeking to live for Christ with all my heart, my mind and my soul - the Suffering Christ – but I want to do so with minimal suffering if possible. I can really understand why it is my heart needs a daily ongoing conversion!

To be a Christian is to be a person of courage. Jesus exemplified courage from the time He was born on earth in very austere, difficult circumstances in a stable right up to His violent and humiliating death on the Cross which He accepted from His Father’s Hands for the salvation of ALL our souls. Ever since, the Cross will forever be a sign of the Glory and Victory of Jesus winning Eternal Life for all mankind over death and sin.

To be a Christian means I must have persistence and perseverance in always doing God’s Will with a heart filled with His Hope and Joy. I was reminded in my personal meditations recently by this Word of God, “…Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.” (Romans 12:11-12)  Recently, when I was seeking some spiritual guidance from a priest, he encouraged me to listen and to answer God’s Call with total faith. The priest shared that God always provides with His bountiful abundance – I need not worry of all the obstacles and disappointments that keep piling up. I should praise and glorify Jesus as I go forth with total commitment for these sufferings and obstacles will be turned into Glory for God!

Indeed, when we do His Will, we can be absolutely certain of God’s Providence as per His Promise to each of us – you and me, “Where does my help come from? My help will come from the LORD who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2) This is a Promise of God I cling on to in my ministry here in India. Very often, I do not know how to achieve a mission task and it is always in my prayers that I get the inner peace and conviction of heart by the clear inspirations from the Holy Spirit…of what I should do and how to do it. No matter how difficult the project, Jesus has always blessed the results beyond my human expectations. I know beyond a doubt it has nothing to do with my human abilities but of the Grace of God in reaching out to me as I call upon His Divine assistance to answer His Call.

So what is courage? Courage, I believe, is to have the faith to readily answer God’s Call despite our fear that we may fall short of God’s expectations because of lack of resources – human, time, money or experience. It is to dare to say “Yes” to Jesus and put our complete faith and hope in Him.

Yesterday, I came upon this quotation that I had written down a few years ago:

Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles;
Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances.
Courage breeds creativity; Cowardice represses fear and is mastered by it.
Cowardice asks the question, is it safe?
Expediency ask the question, is it politic?
Vanity asks the question, is it popular?
But conscience ask the question, is it right? And there comes a time when 
we must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular,
 but one must take it because it is right.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

How apt that I am reminded of this quotation now! Martin Luther King Jr. is an inspiration to millions of people around the world – and the truth of his words resounds deeply in my heart and mind once again.

Unwavering courage is something each of us can freely obtain from God. How? We need to truly thirst and seek for the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds and lives. All we need to look at are the Apostles who were fearful and frightened until Pentecost when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. From then on, they were totally transformed to proclaim and live for Christ until they willingly died for Him. The apostles prayed for courage – “And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness. Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant, Jesus.” When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31) They no longer had any fear and nothing was impossible in the Name of Jesus!

Most of all, we  need only to look to Mother Mary – who as a young virgin, with the knowledge that she would be stoned to death if found pregnant out of wedlock, answered God’s Call to her to be the Mother of Jesus. Mother Mary’s response was, “Here am I, your handmaid, Lord. Let it be done to me according to your will.” (Luke 1:38) She did so every moment of her life.

It is my prayer for God’s Holy Spirit to fill each of our lives completely with His Power!

I hope you will be uplifted as I was by the YouTube music video COURAGEOUS by Casting Crown at the top of this post!