A TIME FOR COURAGE

“A crisis in courage will make you settle for a level beneath you”

Each night before the show Nightline on ABC ends its broadcast, they show an unusual picture or image and say, “It’s a sign of the times”. As I continue to work with this next generation of young people, I see a very dangerous sign of the times, a lack of courage. Courage to face adversity, overcome hardship, to stand for what is right even though it is unpopular, and make the best of a bad situation. The dilemma is, without courage, people will settle for a level beneath their ability.

So how do we change the signs of our time, and teach a generation to have courage?

#1. Understand the greatest enemy of courage is not fear, but a lack of VISION.

Throughout history, some of our greatest heroes are men and woman who took a stand against injustice or in times of war while inside they were shaking with fear. Yet courage won. Why? Because their vision of what they fought for was bigger than them. Vision for a better world carried them through. We must show this generation vision. We must teach them to have courage and to never give up or give in.

#2. Courage sees the grapes, not the giants

Anytime you conquer new levels in your life, you must face a land that is filled with giants (obstacles to our success) and grapes (the return on your investments). Giants have won too many of these battles. They say it is too hard, or that’s just the way things are… learn to live with it. Courage says that’s not good enough! Forget the obstacles, I want some of that fruit and nothing is going to stop me from having some of that success!

#3. Courage takes risks

To get a different result, you have to change the equation. We need some risks takers. People who are courageous enough to challenge status quo and make a true difference. To take risks, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones. Thousands of children without parents are waiting for someone to take a risk and step out of their comfort zones to bring them hope and vision.

#4. Courage relays on training

In the midst of critical life changing decisions, in the heat of the moment, one must respond out of instinct. Instinct does not just happen. It is the result of training, mentoring, and words of wisdom. Without that training, courage is swallowed up by fear and the window of opportunity closes.

#5. Courage finishes the fight

Courage never settles for less. It never stops until the fight is finished. Fostering Connections has made great strides in touching these awesome kids. But the fight is not over. We have just begun. Let’s not stop short of the finish line. May History show that we pressed through. That we pursued the enemy of our success and we overcame.

“A crisis in courage will make you settle for a level beneath you”. A call goes out to all who will hear it, will you answer the call. Take courage, teach courage, and reproduce courage! Never settle for a level beneath you! If we stand together, we can end this crisis of courage and be who God has called each one of us to be!

Gary