Ross T Lucas

One of my favorite concepts of courage is that “courage” doesn’t mean one isn’t afraid, but rather, one takes action despite the fear.  It’s indeed true that it doesn’t take courage to do something if one has no fear.

I considered what takes the greatest courage.  The more I thought about it, the more the answer seemed obvious to me.  It isn’t to dive into a freezing lake to rescue a child.  It isn’t to risk being killed in some way to help others who are friends or even people one doesn’t know.  Those are courageous acts to be sure, but there’s something that requires even more courage.

I believe most people are convinced that they understand the truth.  They believe the way they understand things is the way things actually are.  Most people believe that if everyone agreed with them, the world would be a better place.  And because of the strength of the belief that one has discovered the real truth, it’s very hard to look honestly at one’s self.

It takes great courage to really examine one’s beliefs and to consider that you might not have all the answers.  Examining one’s beliefs, opinions, and way of looking at life isn’t something that requires just a moment of courage.  Examining one’s self requires a lifetime commitment and it requires that we go back to what we believe time and again.  That kind of courage requires us to go back each time seeking to see things with fresh eyes.  There can be no preconceived conviction that we will come out with the same beliefs as before.  Each foray into our selves will of necessity include some uncertainty and some lack of assurance.

I love the Christian scriptures.  Those scriptures are constantly showing me how my beliefs need to be altered to stay true to those very same scriptures.  I’m not saying the scriptures change in meaning.  However, as I examine myself in the light of those teachings, I am able to see greater meaning than previously.  Sometimes I have to admit that what I had always read one way could actually be saying something quite different.

I invite you to take a risk.  Read the scriptures with the constant questions, “Have I already decided what this means?” and, “What might I have to do to really understand the scripture and have it direct my life?”