This week’s value is courage. We are courageous.
The way we define this guiding value for our church is:
“Our faith makes us bold, compelling us to do hard things. We honor our word, relentlessly advocate for justice, and remain thoughtful and compassionate, even in the face of adversity.”
From early in scripture God’s word comes to the people saying, “Be strong and courageous” and “Do not be afraid.” This pattern continues throughout the Bible. It’s said so often that we start to wonder, what is there to be afraid of? Why do we need so much strength and courage as people of faith?
When we come to faith, we experience a radical love, acceptance, and belonging in and with God. And then we realize that it extends to all people. It takes courage to trust this radical love and to accept that we each fully belong in God’s family. It takes courage to grow into the authentic selves that God has created us to be and to share God’s radical love in community. It takes courage to create and hold a space of love, acceptance, and belonging for others and then invite and include them in it.
Often we need to hear these words, “be strong and courageous,” when we are sharing God’s love with others. It is amazing how challenging and controversial it is to love all people, to accept those who are different than we are, and to create a space for all to belong by advocating for justice and by speaking a thoughtful and compassionate truth related to God’s love. These courageous words and actions of love and acceptance unsettle and challenge the status quo around us which tends toward personal comfort and gain and the exclusion of others.
The words from Isaiah 43:1a-3a often come to me in times when I am afraid and courage is needed: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
When we have personal situations that are hard and require courage, God is there with us. Even more God is with us in the difficult situations that impact our church, communities, nation, and world. God is with us, compelling us to have the courage to step out and share love and acceptance and to create a place of belonging for all people. This takes the courage of each of us individually and collectively as God’s people.
This Sunday we consider how Peter and Cornelius were courageous in their faith and the difference it makes for us even today.
Blessings,
Pastor Suzanne