True moral courage requires an attitude and lifestyle of serving others
Just finished the Lord of the Rings. Amazing story of a similar magnitude toArthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Truly inspiring.
When I read stories such as these or ponder the exploits of King David, the brave counsel and bold life of Jesus, and the travels of Peter and Paul, I wonder at how we should live in their light. Shall we pick up sword like David and Aragorn? Visit far off cities and appeal to powerful leaders like Peter and Paul?
Whatever each of us does with his or her life, I am sure that many will agree that the biggest temptation of all the options is to do nothing. How many of us feel as though we live a life that is devoid of any insipid or lukewarm moments?
And yet, these stories are not just children's rhymes. There is a deeper truth. A living bedrock flowing from pages of old. Paul the Apostle writes in his letter to the Philippians:
"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! 5Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
"...you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 9Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Yes, filling our minds and meditating on (and acting upon) those things which are true, noble, authentic... The life of noble character does not begin at the top. It begins by washing feet.
Just finished the Lord of the Rings. Amazing story of a similar magnitude toArthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Truly inspiring.
When I read stories such as these or ponder the exploits of King David, the brave counsel and bold life of Jesus, and the travels of Peter and Paul, I wonder at how we should live in their light. Shall we pick up sword like David and Aragorn? Visit far off cities and appeal to powerful leaders like Peter and Paul?
Whatever each of us does with his or her life, I am sure that many will agree that the biggest temptation of all the options is to do nothing. How many of us feel as though we live a life that is devoid of any insipid or lukewarm moments?
And yet, these stories are not just children's rhymes. There is a deeper truth. A living bedrock flowing from pages of old. Paul the Apostle writes in his letter to the Philippians:
"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! 5Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
"...you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 9Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Yes, filling our minds and meditating on (and acting upon) those things which are true, noble, authentic... The life of noble character does not begin at the top. It begins by washing feet.
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