Grace and Peace to you!
In these continuing days of a global pandemic, I have found it helpful and inspiring to see examples of courage still present among us, particularly examples of those on the frontlines during this pandemic. Yes, we have seen such examples before such as Mother Theresa working in the slums of India or the police, firefighters, and first responders on 9/11.
While these are great illustrations of courage, they can be a little intimidating for us. We sometimes have difficulty picturing ourselves as being courageous in comparison with them. Courage, though, is something that we need as we live out our daily lives following Jesus.
I think we have many examples of courage around us. Such as: taking a step of faith and doing something before we have all the answers and loose ends tied together; or taking a stand that is against public opinion; or tithing; believing that God will provide sufficiently for us even if we give to others; or even loving someone who will not return our love or may even hate us.
Courage doesn't need to be defined by great leaps of faith. Sometimes the biggest act of courage is a small one. It will take acts of courage both large and small as we open our hearts and lives to being transformed and able to live a life without limits. This being the case, it is most helpful if we learn how we might be prepared to act courageously.
A fine example of this is from the Apostle Paul. While Paul was in a Roman prison, he wrote his letter to the Philippians. He was soon to go on trial where his fate would be decided - he would either be freed or executed. Paul shows a humble courage in this letter.
Part of his courage is his ability to let go. He didn't know what his future held, but he believed that God held his future in God's hands. He didn't worry about the trial, but rather he experienced that peace that passes understanding as he rested in God's hands.
Courage comes from resting in the hands of God. We live in faith that God wants the very best for us and that God is moving in our lives to enable us to experience an abundant and meaningful life. Courage comes from giving up control. We really don't have control anyways, but most of the time we are frantically grappling for control. God is in control, that's his job. We are obedient and faithful servants.
The Apostle Paul offers us a wonderful motto on which to model our lives: live with Christ, and live for Christ. This won't make your life any easier now. Look at Paul. He ended up in prison for being a Christian. But he knew that someday life will be much better, as Jesus, the victorious Savior, will return to glorify those whose faith has remained in him.
For Paul, "to live is Christ, to die is gain". There is no verb there, no action. Just a state of being. It means I live in Christ and Christ in me. It means I live with Christ and Christ with me. It means I live for Christ and Christ for me.
In Christ,
Pastor Bakker
It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Philippians 1:20-21 (NRSV)
In these continuing days of a global pandemic, I have found it helpful and inspiring to see examples of courage still present among us, particularly examples of those on the frontlines during this pandemic. Yes, we have seen such examples before such as Mother Theresa working in the slums of India or the police, firefighters, and first responders on 9/11.
While these are great illustrations of courage, they can be a little intimidating for us. We sometimes have difficulty picturing ourselves as being courageous in comparison with them. Courage, though, is something that we need as we live out our daily lives following Jesus.
I think we have many examples of courage around us. Such as: taking a step of faith and doing something before we have all the answers and loose ends tied together; or taking a stand that is against public opinion; or tithing; believing that God will provide sufficiently for us even if we give to others; or even loving someone who will not return our love or may even hate us.
Courage doesn't need to be defined by great leaps of faith. Sometimes the biggest act of courage is a small one. It will take acts of courage both large and small as we open our hearts and lives to being transformed and able to live a life without limits. This being the case, it is most helpful if we learn how we might be prepared to act courageously.
A fine example of this is from the Apostle Paul. While Paul was in a Roman prison, he wrote his letter to the Philippians. He was soon to go on trial where his fate would be decided - he would either be freed or executed. Paul shows a humble courage in this letter.
Part of his courage is his ability to let go. He didn't know what his future held, but he believed that God held his future in God's hands. He didn't worry about the trial, but rather he experienced that peace that passes understanding as he rested in God's hands.
Courage comes from resting in the hands of God. We live in faith that God wants the very best for us and that God is moving in our lives to enable us to experience an abundant and meaningful life. Courage comes from giving up control. We really don't have control anyways, but most of the time we are frantically grappling for control. God is in control, that's his job. We are obedient and faithful servants.
The Apostle Paul offers us a wonderful motto on which to model our lives: live with Christ, and live for Christ. This won't make your life any easier now. Look at Paul. He ended up in prison for being a Christian. But he knew that someday life will be much better, as Jesus, the victorious Savior, will return to glorify those whose faith has remained in him.
For Paul, "to live is Christ, to die is gain". There is no verb there, no action. Just a state of being. It means I live in Christ and Christ in me. It means I live with Christ and Christ with me. It means I live for Christ and Christ for me.
In Christ,
Pastor Bakker
It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Philippians 1:20-21 (NRSV)
