Wimps Want Comfort but God Calls for Courage

When God puts something on our heart it takes courage to do it. We have to overcome the oppression of the ordinary. It’s easier to do what we’ve always done you so we tend to hesitate and procrastinate because it takes courage to change. But there’s no peace in procrastination and obedience isn’t just doing what we wish, but God’s will. God’s leading's often bring butterflies and seem bigger than Broadway. And the more we procrastinate the greater the pressure, because we know that we have a part in God’s production but we’re not prepared. Then we have the horror of hurrying and trying to memorize “our lines” at the last moment. First the fear of failure tries to hold us back and then seems determined to drive us when we fall behind. It’s a vicious cycle caused by cowardice. So if we don’t want to be weenies we must be bold and will that we will fulfill God’s will and when He wills. “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Wimps want comfort but God calls for courage. And “taking up your cross” is never comfortable, but it’s a lot better then living in condemnation caused by cowardice. We can either be like Linus, theological and quoting the Gospel’s while holding onto our “trusty blanket” and sucking our thumb or we can lay it down, get out of our comfort zone and find the greater joy of carrying the cross of Christ.

From: A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Lucy Van Pelt: Linus, you've got to get rid of that stupid blanket, and here, memorize these lines.
Linus Van Pelt: I can't memorize these lines. This is ridiculous.
Lucy Van Pelt: Memorize it and be ready to recite when your cue comes.
Linus Van Pelt: I can't memorize something like this so quickly. Why should I be put through such agony? Give me one good reason why I should memorize this.
Lucy Van Pelt: I'll give you five good reasons.
[proceeds to make a fist out of her fingers]
Lucy Van Pelt: One, two, three, four, FIVE!
Linus Van Pelt: [begins shaking his head emphatically] Those are good reasons. Christmas is not only getting too commercial, it's getting too dangerous.
Lucy Van Pelt: And get rid of that stupid blanket! What's a Christmas shepherd gonna look like holding a stupid blanket like that?
Linus Van Pelt: Well, this is one Christmas shepherd who's going to keep his trusty blanket with him.
[Lucy raises her fist to strike Linus; Linus puts his blanket over his head like a headdress]
Linus Van Pelt: See? You wouldn't hurt an innocent shepherd, would you? …

Later…
Lucy Van Pelt: You think you're so smart with that blanket. What are you going to do with it when you grow up?
Linus Van Pelt: Maybe I'll make it into a sport coat.


Matt 16:24-27
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
NKJV


Josh 1:9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
NKJV

Ps 31:24
24 Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.
NKJV

Matt 14:27-29
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

29 "Come," he said.
NIV