having faith in the face of fear

freedy was laughing while pointing out i'm obsessed with rhyming my titles
i beg to differ! if i were, i'd have called it having faith in the face of failure
see, it rhymes better! but that wouldnt convey my point accurately so, too bad..

anyway, here's something on top of what i shared last saturday

there's this line in 'the voyage of the dawn treader' from chronicles of narnia
when lucy cried out to aslan for help on the Dark Island, aslan whispered to her:

"Courage, dear heart."

those three words brought lucy through great dangers, this one and many more
till the completion of her voyage, when she met aslan again face to face
the question though, is this: why? what's so special about aslan's words?

it's not because the three words are easy to remember (like 'just do it')
it's not because the words are some sort of magical spells or positive thinking
and it's definitely not because those three words rhyme!

rather, the impact depends on: the source of the words; the character of the source;
the relationship between the source and the recipient; and the only possible outcome
out of the combination of those three factors

pish! ignore the whole para above!! basically...

1. lucy cries out; aslan answers
2. aslan is powerful; aslan is kind
3. aslan loves lucy; lucy trusts aslan
4. (1)+(2)+(3) = lucy will be saved!

now, i feel obligated to highlight this obvious fact...
lucy experienced having faith in the face of fear because she chose to go on this journey
should she choose to stay safely home, she'd know neither fear nor courage nor victory

thus it's really weird for me to hear people praying for anointing and faith
while they have no intention whatsoever to attempt great things for God!!
why, you want to be able to wield the PS console courageously at home?
or have much fortitude and fearlessness for a most effective online shopping?

so i'd conclude (before i get real sarcastic) with this:
yes, God gives us courage for our daily challenges
but great courage belongs to you who leave your comfort to pursue God-given vision

then, when you happen to pass by the Dark Island (as no doubt you will)
take heed of lucy - call unto him and hear him whisper:

"Courage, dear heart."

you have listened to fears
come, let me breathe on you
are you brave again?

listenin -- one day by parachute band

s.h.i.r.l.s musing away at 12:38 am