Number nine comes from the HOPE series. Each week of the series, Walt offered some practical actions that you could take that would move in the direction of hope. Leaning toward hope, it becomes part of the way that we live our lives.
Take Courage
STEP ONE: BREATHE
Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.
STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. — Psalm 46: 1-3
Fear has long been a problem for the human creature. Sure, fear helped to protect our neanderthal ancestors from sabertooth tigers, and to this day heightens our senses in the presence of real danger. The trouble is that the emotion that triggers fight or flight can also paralyze, deceive, manipulate, distort, and quickly complicate situations. Fear makes us react before we think; in such a state, we are less likely to consider possibilities.
A strong motivator, fear can cause even the most peace-loving person to take up arms against a sea of worries. Conflicts and violence thrive upon fear as an essential ingredient to start, fester, and escalate. It does this by tapping into that part of our created selves that struggles to survive. When danger threatens us, we turn inward to protect and persevere. It can lead to behaviors that are harmful as take action or fail to take action.
Tribal and familial instincts flare up within ourselves, and we stop thinking about anyone else. Suddenly, we perceive our neighbor as only those who mirror us; we put everyone else in the enemy category. Once this happens, all sorts of nasty options are "on the table": judge, exclude, isolate, suspect, barricade, and bomb. History teaches that violence is the destination at the end of each of these paths. Theology teaches that our inward obsession is sinful and contributes to the overall power and presence of evil.
In the final of our weekly Acts of Hope, let's look at courage. In the face of threats, big and small, courage allows us to move in the direction of life (ours and others). Unlike fear, courage dances with hope. We have courage because we have hope that things will be better.
The source of both our courage and hope is critical. We can hope and take courage in a great many things: ourselves, wealth, knowledge, physical strength, gods and God, etc. The list is seemingly endless. Although we each have a list of our own, there are items that we all share in common. (if you are not sure that you have such a catalog of items - ask yourself, "who or what do I depend upon?" Write them down.)
Depending on the circumstance, we will turn to and rely on different things on our checklist. For example, if your house is on fire, you will turn to and hope in your local fire department. Their response, skill, and equipment can encourage us even as we watch the flames come out of the building. Similarly, we hope that when we take our dog out for a walk that our bodies will be able to make it around the block. If we didn't, then we would stay at home with an unhappy puppy. With leash in hand, we set out each day encouraged by our physical health and ability.
Throughout our days, we are continually testing the things we hope in and taking notes. Over time our confidence in certain things increases while decreases in others. We are both disappointed and assured. Eventually, we discover whether something is worthy of our devotion or not. Martin Luther said, in his explanation in the Small Catechism to the Ten Commandments, that a god is anything in which we put our faith and trust. We hope in our gods. Luther cautioned that any god that is not God is bound to disappoint and not ultimately deserving of our unrestrained hope.
Back to fear and courage. If God (the Creator to which the scripture bears witness) is at the top of our "things-in-which-we-hope" list, then we can take courage. God will not disappoint us but will remain present no matter our struggle. God's presence will give us the wisdom and strength that we need to face the darkest nights and scariest days. Further, if we courageously lean in God's direction, we connect ourselves with others.
Since God is Creator of all, the boundary of who is our neighbor is always in the process of expanding; even to the point of including those, we have labeled an enemy. Answering the question - where is God leading - with the honesty of our hearts, we discern the path that leads to peace, healing, restoration, and resurrection.
God's way is one that pushes back the fears that the other things on our list generate. For example, consider wealth. Many folks trust and hope that their wealth will provide them everything that they need. For them, wealth is a god to be honored, worshiped, and protected. Anything that threatens portfolio or holdings is to be feared. Rapidly, they turn inward and fear losing it all. Comfort zones become gated compounds. Wealth traps people into a mindset and reality that excludes, restricts, and isolates. Wealth is a harsh deity that lacks compassion and transforms its worshippers into heartless, self-centered, and fearful minions.
Jesus taught that we could use our wealth and possessions courageously. Instead of fearfully hoarding or conspicuously consuming, we can live generously. Each day, we can share what we have beyond ourselves, family, and friends to those who are just outside our comfort zones. Our wealth can be a powerful tool that can bring clean water, health, and sustenance to those who live around the globe. For example, supporting global relief organizations such as Lutheran World Relief, we can make a difference in the lives of children who we will never meet but will be forever grateful. When we give financial support, we participate in the inbreaking of God's kingdom by contributing to actions that restore, heal, and seek balance. Spiritually, we benefit from
breaking the self-directed bonds of wealth that keep all too many people captive in fear. You can't fear losing wealth if you courageously give it away. Through generous giving, you also reorient perspective and priorities; our purpose in life is not to accumulate and multiple wealth but rather to trust in God for daily bread that connects us to others.
So, what's on the top of your "things in which we most hope" list? Where is God on that list? Be honest. It doesn't help to say, "at the top," and then to live in such a way that demonstrates the falsity of that claim. Are you living according to Jesus's teaching and life-example? What would it look like if you did? Where do your greatest fears lie? What would it mean to face them with courageous acts that hope in God's promises and presence? What small steps might you take in this direction?
STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER
Gracious God, life can be so complicated and busy that I find myself pulled in many directions. Many things demand attention and promise "solutions" to all my problems. Give me the wisdom to discern your pathway. Strengthen my weakened resolve with new courage to live in the way Jesus did. Following Christ, let me find rest as I hope in you. Through Jesus Christ, amen.
Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger