This is the second in a series of five. In this article we focus on Courage. Perhaps a quote from the well-known exchange in “The Wizard of Oz” provides insight into this quality. Listen in as Dorothy challenges the Cowardly Lion.
Dorothy: My goodness, what a fuss you're making! Well, naturally, when you go around picking on things weaker than you are. Why, you're nothing but a great big coward!
Cowardly Lion: [crying] You're right, I am a coward! I haven't any courage at all. I even scare myself. [sobbing] Look at the circles under my eyes. I haven't slept in weeks!
Tin Man: Why don't you try counting sheep?
Cowardly Lion: That doesn't do any good, I'm afraid of 'em.
Elders/shepherds cannot lead effectively if they fear the sheep. Effective leadership is focused on fulfilling the purpose of the organization. For the church this purpose is making disciples. This requires courage. Decisions are shaped by that reality. In the current culture that is radical. When fear rather than courage is the dominant motivation there is dysfunction and trouble ahead.
Courage, real godly courage, is a rare commodity. But then, we don't need a multitude – – just a small band of COURAGEOUS and dedicated servant leaders. They understand the task, the difficulty and the challenges. Seeing all of this they say, "What are we waiting for?"
God and a man, or a band of men, with courage is the most significant majority the world has ever known. Courage is neither reckless nor foolish. It is bold and guided by the Holy Spirit. That guidance almost always puts you in a counter-culture posture. God always delights to identify men who in times of darkness trust the light of special revelation. Trust God and press on.
1 Chron. 28:20 Then David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.”
2 Chron. 15:2,8 – “Asa But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work." Now when Asa heard these words and the prophecy which Azariah the son of Oded the prophet spoke, he took courage and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD which was in front of the porch of the LORD.”
Ezra 10:4 "Arise! For this matter is your responsibility, but we will be with you; be courageous and act."
Haggai 2:4 “But now take courage, Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD, 'take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,' declares the LORD, 'and work; for I am with you,' declares the LORD of hosts.”
Acts 23:11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, ‘Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.’"
Answer this question -“Does your shepherd lead with courage, or, is he more like the cowardly lion in ‘The Wizard of Oz?'”
