courage

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, give us the courage, this day, to live real, authentic lives.  Lives that flow directly from you and what you are doing deep in our hearts and souls.  Give us the courage to be open and vulnerable with each other, and with you.  Give us the courage to put ourselves out there, whatever that may mean.  Give us the courage to live for your kingdom rather than our own.  All for your glory.  Amen.

Scripture: Joshua 1:6-9

Journal: How does the word courage strike you today?  What does it do within you?  What is courage calling you to?  How is God asking you to be strong and courageous today?

Reflection: “Have courage,” we often say to one another.  Courage is a spiritual virtue.  The word courage comes from the Latin word cor, which means “heart.”  A courageous act is an act coming from the heart.  A courageous word is a word arising from the heart.  The heart, however, is not just the place our emotions are located.  The heart is the center of our being, the center of all thoughts, feelings, passions, and decisions.

     A courageous life, therefore, is a life lived from the center.  It is a deeply rooted life, the opposite of a superficial life.  “Have courage” therefore means “Let your center speak.” (Bread for the Journey by Henri J. M. Nouwen)

Prayer

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to live from my heart (and your heart) today.  Amen.