What have they got that I ain't got? COURAGE!

CONFESSION ALERT!

I used to be deathly afraid of the lion in the Wizard of Oz! Yes, the cowardly lion frightened me especially when the beast was chasing Toto and Dorothy. Okay, while I'm confessing, I need to let you know the MGM lion's roar sent me running and crying too. Worst 12 years of my life! :) All that fraidy cat stuff aside, The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies. The history and longevity of the movie stand the test of time.

Of course, the twist in this classic movie for me is found in a lion who had more nerve than he knew he had. We are a lot like the cowardly lion. We tend to dismiss our courage and scare people away from us in order to hide behind our perceived shortcomings. Tasks that stretch or challenge us are to be avoided like the plague.

We'll be starting a men's Bible study in our church entitled, Stepping Up. One of the memorable quotes from the study is this....

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened."

Billy Graham

I have been called, gathered together, equipped, commissioned, and sent by God to lead in pastoral ministry. I believe I can make a positive impact in my familiy, church, and community. I will not shirk my calling, I will take responsibility. I will offer grace. I will be a follower of Jesus and a disciple for Him. I will teach, encourage, admonish, and lead. I will do all of this under the umbrella of God's love. I resonate with Peter and John in declaring truth.

Ac 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by

which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were

unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

(Acts 4:12-13, NIV)

When the cowardly lion began his song, "If I were the king of the forest,"...my fears subsided. Oh, and by the end of the movie he became my favorite character.

Are you ready to 'step up' and lead?