Courage and Presence…

By Morgan Butcher in Deep Thoughts in Prayer in Uprising on 7/14/11

Working with youth, I so often hear students who wish they possessed more courage.  Courage to introduce themselves to new friends at school, courage to pray for another that they know is in need, courage to stand out and be different than the average teenager.
I think it is ok, in fact honorable to search for inner, maybe un-tapped courage, but I think rather than wasting time searching for courage inside ourselves, there comes a point when we should humble ourselves enough to recognize that that courage might not live inside of us.  And instead spend the time seeking it from someone else… someone bigger.
We speak of ‘mustering up our courage’. That supposes that the resource for courage lies somewhere inside of us. What if true courage comes from another source altogether? Look at how Jesus conceived it…
“But Jesus spoke to them at once. Don’t be afraid He said. Take courage. I am here!” (Matt. 14:27)
Do you see in this verse that there is a direct connection between Christ’s presence and our courage? Jesus spoke the courage INTO them. Furthermore, His courage flowed into them on the basis that He was present. One of the last things that Jesus said to us before He ascended into the clouds was that He would be with us always to the very end of the age. Those who absolutely believe that promise expect Christ’s presence in their lives - every day! And because of that presence, they are only an inch away from courage at any moment and during any circumstance. Courage flows from presence…HIS PRESENCE.

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