Courageous

Courageous... meaning: not deterred by danger or pain... synonyms: brave, bold, valiant, gallant.... if you Google that word... two things show up, numerous times...

The hit movie about men standing up for their families and for God... and being courageous... 

and the ever popular song... by Casting Crowns... "Courageous" 

Whether the song was made for the movie or the movie for the song... I don't know... what I do know is... whenever this song comes on the radio I get chills... and not for the reasons many people would think it does... the words really hit me... yesterday this song came on the radio and I felt God speak to my heart...

"listen to the song... hear the words... you can be the generation that breaks the chains... you were made to be courageous" 

Now I know that the movie and the song are geared towards men being the spiritual leaders of their families and their homes and being the men God created them to be... but... don't you think it can be seen in other ways too? You may picture a lot of things when you hear the song... or the word... or when you watch the movie... well I picture this:

The faces of the people who have joined in the fight for the orphans of Sierra Leone... the faces of the people who work at the Covering... the faces of the people who have traveled to SL and loved on those kids... the faces of the people who sponsor kids or who are forever families... the faces of the people who step up for "least of these"... and these are just a few of them... 

they are being courageous... It's not an easy road... there are battles to fight every day... if you read the TRS blog... or you are friends with any of these people on facebook you know the stories... the teams, the TRS staff, all of them... face the injustice in Sierra Leone every day... 

think about what the song says... 

"we were made to be courageous"

 we're not just supposed to try... we were made this way... God prepared us to be this way... so that we could fight for the people of His kingdom who don't have a voice... 

"the only way we'll ever stand is on our knees with lifted hands"

The only way we can truly be strong enough, the only way we can win is with God... sometimes it is better to stop and pray... to stop and cry out to God because honestly... He is breaking our hearts for what already breaks His... it's not like we are seeing things He does not know about... He has called us to do something about it... he has called us to be courageous.

"seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God"

anybody who has been following the TRS blog... (if you haven't check it out at http://savetheorphan.blogspot.com/) know that there are some tough battles being fought right now... we are trying to raise enough money to move to an amazing center where we could have not 90 some kids... but 200... TWO HUNDRED kids... however... there is quite a cost increase... and we have all been praying for God to provide... There have been some injustices that teams have faced while on the ground ... but we continue to seek justice... love with mercy... and walk with God... 

and finally... my favorite line that just stands out for me... 

"In the war of the blind I will make my stand 

in the battle of the heart and the battle of the hands..." 

There are many people who do not see... who do not want to see... but this is a battle of the heart and the battle of the hands... you don't have to travel to Sierra Leone or any other country to make a difference... you can do so much from right there at your computer... post a facebook status that spreads awareness... give up starbucks for a month ($3.50 for a cup of coffee every other day adds up to enough to sponsor a child)... make a donation to the new building fund... there is more than just the use of your hands... use your heart too... 

"we were made to be courageous and we're taking back the fight...

we were made to be courageous and it starts with us tonight..."