The Way of the Warrior - Courage

Courage was once a common trait. Sadly it is no longer so. Courage is often imitated by young men and boys in bravado. This grunting, tough guy syndrome, Rambo wanna-be. That is about as nice as I can be on the subject. Today's men have largely grown up in an environment where being a MAN was looked upon with disdain, even contempt. Men have been, and sadly somewhat rightly so, protrayed as abusive, selfish overgrown boys by the popular media. Our role models are gone.

I am barely old enough to remember Tom Landry, once head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. I remember watching T.V. and seeing Mr. Landry, amid countless empty cups, rags and other trash strewn all about the ground put something he was going to discard into his pocket rather than throw it on the ground with the rest of the trash. He was all class, all the way. How refreshing it is in today's crop of crowing peacocks that we call sports stars to see an athelete be genuinely humble and gracious. It happens, but not everyday. That kind of commitment to doing what is right, reguardless of whatever is going on around you takes courage.

Courage takes many forms. I've already mentioned the kind of courage that refuses to surrender to "everybody else is doing it". The quiet, everyday sort of courage that all of us *can* do, and so few of us ever consistantly exhibit. Doing what is right, because it is the right thing. Even when it makes us look old-fashioned. Being courageous will separate you from everyone else, because they aren't. They will especially resent you because they know in their hearts that they could.

Something that I've told my sons so many times is, being couragous doesn't mean not feeling fear. It means doing what you must anyway. Sometimes that means slaying a dragon. Most of the time it means telling the truth when it seems easier to tell a lie. Did that get a little close to home? Me too. 'Nuf said.

Being a warrior takes courage. So does being a Christian. I argue that it takes more courage to be a Christian in today's world than it has in the past. It is SO easy to compromise. It is much easier to say words, and make everyone around you happy, or appear intelligent and refuse to stand for the truth you have been given. How many times have you heard, "Well that may be true for you but that doesn't mean it's true for me." Really. Try that with your bank. Or the cop that just pulled you over for speeding. Or your boss. Truth has few champions today, but many adversaries. Truth isn't popular.

The words of Scripture have commanded us, "Fear not" often. According to a quick search online, it is commanded one hundred and forty-four times in the Bible. Easy to say, difficult to do. In my experience though, the more one focuses his thoughts upon God, the easier that becomes.

Courage takes many forms, some are flashier than others. Everyone knows how brave firefighters or law enforcement officers are. They go into harm's way daily for complete strangers. Not many think of the father who gets up everyday and goes to a job he doesn't like so that his wife and children are taken care of. Few would think of the mother who stays at home with her infant and toddler, changing diapers and cleaning house so that her children grow up into well balanced, healthy adults. I contend that these are worthy of great honor because their heroism is mostly unseen and goes unnoticed. Where then is the urgency to fight the good fight? Unless one hardens their mind to it, they may fall prey to the monotony of mediocrity. They could easily forget their calling, and no one would notice, until it was too late.

Take courage my dear ones, and do the work set before you each day. Do what is right, nevermind that nobody seems to notice. There is one who sees your good works done in private, unnoticed by the world. He will reward you openly before us all and His praise will stand forever.

"Well done, thou good and faithfull servent".

Sensei Jeff Vincent