God Make Us Courageous Part I

⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.  Joshua 1:6

Watching the movie Courageous has stirred many emotions in my soul.  Some women might watch it and think that there is nothing in it for us.  I would have to say two things regarding that thought.  First, it isn’t always about us.  Everything is ultimately about Him.  Whatever brings us closer to Him is worth the time, even if it doesn’t speak directly to us individually or as a group.  Second, there are crucial truths for women in that movie, which directly apply to our roles as mothers, wives and daughters.  It is true, however, that such truths are not explicitly presented in the film.  They are to be deducted and discovered as we take in the immensity of the challenge ahead.  

In my own experience, I can say that the movie did speak very clearly and personally to me.  It spoke to me regarding a deep concern that I have had for a while.  I have, for years now, functioned under the premise that when men don’t lead, the world is left in need…In need of what?  You name it.  Men have a God appointed role to lead.  They are the spiritual leaders of their families, and as such, of whole societies and nations.  However, for many decades now, men in our society have neglected their God given assignment.  Like the theme song of the movie mentions, men “were meant to be courageous, and lead the way.  They were meant to be warriors on the front lines, now they are mere watchers on the sidelines.”  In the meantime, their families, their society, and their nation slip away.

I’m not playing the blame game.  Women are to blame just as much.  But at this moment, it is not my intention to present a thesis of how we got to this point.  Right now all I want is to figure out if there is anything left to do. 

As a woman, I too am called to be courageous.  One look at the Bible will show us plenty of examples of women used by God to change the fate of the world.  These were women who, though afraid, said ‘yes’ to the call and stepped up to fulfill their destiny.  Courageously, they confronted kings, rulers, authorities and societies.  Like Queen Esther, who saved the Jews from annihilation; for she “was brought to the kingdom for such a time as this.”  (Esther 4:14)  Young women like Mary, who, knowing full well the dire consequences of her decision, said ‘yes’ to God and delivered the Savior.  Older women, like Abigail, who faced King David’s army to plea for the lives of others without regard for her own.  Countless others endured judgment and discrimination, nearly missing the stones, serving others, giving their all.

Though we might not have to fear stones, persecution or complete destitution, here in our land today we do face real danger.  Though subtle, the danger we face is every bit as scary as those experienced by our Biblical heroines.  As a woman, as a wife, as a mother, as a daughter, as a sister, as an aunt, as a cousin, as a friend in this generation, I face the constant threat of the enemy who wants to snatch away my own.  He is the prince of darkness who runs loose in our world, seeking to devour those who belong to God.  He deceives, manipulates, lies, twists, and concocts perverse schemes with the purpose of taking a foothold of our beloved ones, driving them away to be consumed by the flames of this world. 

We were meant to be consumed by the One who is the All Consuming Fire, not by the enemy.  But if we don’t stand strong against the devil, we will see him drive away the ones we love.