Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday February 27, 2008

Band of Brother's may be the very best series on World War11 ever. Someday I will have the time to watch it from start to finish, but for now I settle with having seen it a bit at a time over several years. I am deeply moved by the courage of the Brothers.

In considering the subject of courage it is important to come to a deeper understanding than the valor in battle kind of courage. Thankfully we in America are not subjected to daily war in our streets and neighborhoods. Air raid drills are vaguely remembered from childhood, but I haven't heard one in many years. Many with hair now grey have no idea about such relics of the past. Yet, a glance with perception sees magnificent courage on display on every hand.

This weekend past I was the guest speaker at a church pastored by my longtime friend, Dr. Phil Stringer. Phil is one of the few men who really reach out to the poor and struggling people wherever he pastors. The demographic profile of the congregation is of such a nature that I felt as though I was addressing the United Nations. And the financial status of the church covers the full range. Nice people all and most in some way living the life courageous. To me, an old country boy, merely living in Chicago is courageous!

Older people were willing to be helped into the 106 year old magnificent building as in the days when the church was built we Americans still realized we all needed a little help and were willing to receive or give it. Men and women using walkers, a blind man was being led by an elderly gentleman using a walking cane. A few mentally challenged folks, feeling more than welcome as Phil hired a mutual longtime friend to attract these men and women. And several single mothers with children pulling at their coat tails and stealing hearts from the gathering. I felt as though I was in a crowd assembled by Jesus.

The church has the same name it started with in 1891. I would change the name to reflect the obvious nature of the congregation. The Baptist Church Courageous. This name would fit many churches, including the one I pastor. Courageous people are ones who find a way to keep on going when everything around you screams, "What is the use?" But you get up and charge into the day with the hope of the risen Christ driving you as Paul says concerning Abraham and Sarah in Romans 4:18:

"Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be."

True, these men and women are not the father or mother of many nations, but they know the God of Abraham will keep His word and thus off they go into the unknowns of the day with this hope in their heart humming, "I know the Lord will make a way for me."

This awareness of the extraordinary courage of ordinary people is captured in a statement by Mary Ann Radmacher:

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometime courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow."

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2008 Use with credit.

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