COURAGE IN ACTION
Matthew Griffin
Today's Scripture: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7, ESV
Theme: Courage isn’t about a lack of fear; it means taking action in spite of your fear.
A TALE OF TWO FINNS
Throughout the movie, we see a completely different Finn at the beginning of the story than we do in the end. The movie begins with Finn showing signs of courage, but ultimately wanting to run away from the fight.
Have you been there? You want to stand up and do what you know you are supposed to do, but you can’t quite seem to muster the courage? You see someone being picked on and you want to step in, but you know that if you do, you’re putting a target on your own back. Your boss routinely asks you to hide the truth and you want to do what is right, but you are scared to lose your job. Just like the early Finn, you stay in your lane and do everything you can to avoid the fight.
REMEMBER WHOSE YOU ARE
Many times, we lack courage because, just like Finn, we lie, hide, or aren’t clear about our identity. Finn was terrified for everyone to find out he was a former Storm Trooper. He was hiding the truth that would ultimately play a big part in the resistance's future victory. Without Finn having knowledge of the enemy base, they would never have been able to shut the weapon down.
Friends, our identity as believers is “child of the one true God and Creator of the universe.” “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12, NIV). The same God who split the sea, sent fire from heaven, and raised the dead to life, is the God that we call Father. Our Father is on our side: He is for us, and He wins every time He is on the battlefield.
Make it Personal: Where do you need to be courageous? Students, some of you need to have the courage to leave a certain friend group, the group of friends that is pulling you in every direction but Jesus. At work, some of us have been shying away from standing up to a coworker or even a boss. We see that things aren’t being done in an ethical way and it's time to say something. Or as a church community, we need to stand up for what God says is right in our community. We must not shy away from the hard, awkward questions, or the controversial questions. When you are asked about the truth, we need to speak it gently, in love. Where are you going to be courageous and side with Christ?
Pray: Father, thank You for always protecting me and guiding me. Reveal to me the love and care You have for me. I am faced with many scary situations in my life. Remind me of Your strength and the wonders You have already done. Give me courage to face the days to come. In Your Name, Jesus. Amen.
Read: 1 Kings 18:20-40; Exodus 14:10-31
Weekly Memory Verse: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)