The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)
My children LOVE heroes of all sorts, anything from talking mice who have swords, to guys with capes and unitards that use their powers for good. Heroes are BIG with the 3-9 year old set in my house. Our 5 year old makes up his own heroes, he loves them so much. Capes, masks, action figures, and so many other accessories litter our hall and various other rooms in the house because our little heroes don't clean up their super messes, but it is quite obvious from the messes (and the shouts of ferocious battles taking place) what my boys value in their heroes.
Naturally, the subject of bravery has been breached several times in our house. Often, the boys will repeat this phrase "Being brave means you're not afraid (or scared) of anything." To this, I must disagree, and correct the statement: "being brave means you're afraid, and do what is right anyway." Consider for a moment, if you will (and I'm assuming if you're reading this you're giving this at least SOME consideration) the quality of boldness we admire so much in our heroes. They are people who stand up against a menacing person, army, idea, or whatever else may be menacing. They risk life and limb (and sometimes give them) to do what is right for the greater good. Believe it or not, this value is prized within our walk with Jesus as well.
We are constantly reminded to "fear God only," and in 2nd Timothy 1:7, as he's headed to his own death, Paul writes "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." Whether you give me permission or not, I'm just going to come right out and say it: Cowardice is not a Christian value, and Revelation (see below) lumps it right in with idolatry, fornication, murder, sorcery and faithlessness (to name a few). We cannot be Cowards for Christ. It just doesn't fit. Just as I tell my sons: being a Christian is being afraid, and trusting God anyway. Cowardice is faithlessness, pure and simple.
So what do we do? The easy answer is always "Trust God." What does that mean, exactly? It means that even should our end come in this world, we trust that God still has everything in hand, and He will live up to His promises. Just as Abraham died without seeing the majority of God's promises to him, so we too strain toward what is ahead, making Christ our goal, and, like He did, not valuing our own lives above eternity, especially the eternity of our neighbors, family, friends, and enemies. Be bold. Make your stand for Christ, and watch how He honors it, especially when we see Him face to face and hear those blessed words "Well done, good and faithful servant."
And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”And he said to me,“It is done!I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars,their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:5-8)
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