An Act of Courage

Last week CC Sabathia, a pitcher for the New York Yankees, went into a treatment center for alcoholism. He came in the day before his team’s playoff game and asked to be checked in. Some people may not understand his timing, but it was apparent he recognized his powerlessness to conquer his habit. I actually admire him for his willingness to seek rehabilitation and hopefully move forward in changing his life. He showed great courage by being able to honestly say three simple words: I need help.

Some might perceive those words as a sign of weakness, but I protest that kind of thinking. It’s actually a person with great courage who knows they are not capable of doing something on their own. It takes great strength to admit your weaknesses and realize you must have the help of other people to stand strong. This is where authentic humility can bring us together in unified community. When we admit our individual need for help we become stronger because we stand together.

Be Brave

A friend of mine used the word "brave" to describe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today. While I am in complete agreement, I will admit that it isn't the first word that I think of to describe him even though it should be. While Dr. King was a passionate Christ follower who desired equality for all people, it certainly took a substantial amount of courage to stand so firmly in the face of adversity. His continuing example of fortitude can be seen in many different people:

• A single mother who works multiple jobs amidst personal sacrifice to provide for her children
• A couple who has just received a cancer diagnosis and begins the process of treatment and recovery
• A teacher who spends personal money to help her students when they don't have the resources to help themselves
• Pastors & churches willing to forge a partnership to reach a community regardless of differences in worship style and ethnic background
• Friends that are willing to speak the truth in love even when that truth is hard to receive
• Those that are unwilling to accept injustice as "that's the way it's always been here" and strive to do something about it
• A recent widower who chooses to use his time to invest in local schoolchildren
• A young man who seeks out a positive role model when he hasn't had one to follow in his own family
• Parents that pray fervently for their children and strive to teach them how to choose to follow God's path for their own lives when the rest of the world doesn't always understand their decisions
• Pursuing change for the sake of righting wrongs even if it makes key influential people uncomfortable
• A church that reacts with genuine compassion for the LGBT community, victims of domestic violence, drug addicts, the poor, and those that are incapable of helping themselves
• People who give up the comforts of home to serve in the mission field--both domestically & internationally.

Modeling bravery and doing the right thing are very closely associated with each other. They combine to create a legacy that is God-honoring and worthy of being followed. I am grateful for Dr. King and others whose names we will never know that we were willing to live a life of courage.

Courageous

One of the greatest things the enemy has done to men is to convince them that they are alone. We 

have believed the lie that no one has it as bad as we do and that no one has done the things we have. We have accepted the fallacy that our failures are unique and everyone has it together more than we do. The whispering voice of the enemy tells us that it's best for us to just keep trudging along and if we get ambitious to aim for "good enough" but no higher than that. It's time that we recognized these falsehoods and started seeking truth.

We are not meant to travel this journey alone. We were created with the need for other people and we  are healthier when we give others the right to speak God's truth into our lives. There is no new sin under the sun, God's best is still greater than the worst thing we have done, and His grace and mercy outweigh all of our sin. Don't settle for mediocrity, but pursue excellence in our own spiritual devotion, in our calling, and in our families.

These truths destroy the excuses and lies of our enemy and empower men to boldly lead our families, communities, and churches. It's time for us to be strong, courageous men of influence the way God has called us to lead.