A Call to Courage for Times like These
This is the time and we are God’s people called to serve and lead.

Guest Writer: Brian Roberts, Cape Atlantic Superintendent

We woke Wednesday morning to the start of a “new day”. A long, polarizing campaign season ended and our nation had elected a new president. Regardless of who you voted for, now is a time for healing and finding ways to come together to work for the common good. Now is the time for us, as followers of Jesus, to model strong love, healing justice and life-giving hope that flows deeply in our rooted faith in God - Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. Now is a time for Spirit fused action and prayerful contemplation about how to apply the suave of God’s GOOD NEWS to our nations’ deep needs.

Last week Rev. Myrna Bethke and I joined Bishop John Schol, along with the Greater New Jersey Cabinet and Connectional Ministries Team for the Extended Cabinet Summit. The meeting was held in Jacksonville, FL and drew in over 750 participants. All of us came together to focus our efforts around leading. Bishops from around the country led most of the learning experience with the purpose "to start the new quadrennium in a focused and disciplined way on the mission of cultivating vital congregations that make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Bishop John Schol and Rev. Hector Burgos, GNJ's Director of Connectional Ministries, facilitated and presented during a large key note session.

Throughout the Summit, we were challenged to lead and serve with courage. In preparation for this event we all read “Be Strong and of Good Courage” by, Gil Rendle. I encourage you to read this article, perhaps share it with a team of core leaders on your Church Council or in a small group.

Rendle lifts up the number of times in the Bible that people are implored to “be strong!”, “take heart”, “have courage” as they face daunting “new days” in their lives or have to lead in uncertain times and places they never visited or experienced before.  A key reminder and foundation for the steps going forward is that courage is tied to and flows from God’s presence with them!

It does and will take courage for us, as followers of Jesus, to model and reach out to our neighbors, to those that look and act like us and those that are very different from us. What does Jesus call us to do in the Great Commandment? Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (ALL IN) and Love your neighbor as yourself (even those that voted like you AND those that had “the other” candidates’ sign in their front lawn).

I am reminded of one of my “Spiritual Survival Kit” verses Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

God spoke to Joshua, just as Joshua is called to lead the people of Israel to a new place, crossing the Jordan River, into a land full of promise and much peril. As we take bold, grace-filled next steps, God is reminding us, as he reminded Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Many of you have heard me share about John Wesley’s last words. (Click here for full version). After several days of just lying in his bed, weak and silent, John Wesley rose up on his elbows and in a loud voice exclaimed “Best of all - God is with us!” And then he passed from this world into God’s eternal embrace and the wonder of life, over the horizon in God’s care.

Brothers and sisters, God is with us as we live with deep action, bold contemplation and serving our communities in this nation and God’s world! This IS THE TIME and we are God’s people! “Courage, Dear Hearts” (click here for more about this C. S. Lewis quote, "Voyage of the Dawn Treader")