This Week’s Quotation:
Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9
Courage—An Essential Virtue for Our Time
Finding Courage to LIVE
After the death of Moses, the above words were spoken by the Lord to Joshua, the new leader of the children of Israel. Having completed the exodus from Egypt, they were now poised to cross the Jordan River and enter “the promised land.” But many were fearful to cross over; there were reports of giants in the land and other hazards too numerous to mention. Hence the reassuring words conveyed by the Lord through Joshua.
Be strong and of a good courage. These words may be equally relevant to us today, as we stand at the crossover point into a personal and collective future that may seem fraught with “giants” and all manner of shadowy circumstances ready to block our path to whatever “promised land” we may envision for ourselves or for humanity.
On top of whatever personal issues we have to face, there is so much disturbance coming to us from out of the world we live in: war, the pandemic, deep political division, climate change, and the decline of nature, to name a few. To handle all of this with courage may seem to call for something inconceivable.
A friend of mine observed that it takes extraordinary courage just to be alive on the planet today. And yet I think we know in the deepest and highest part of us that “we came for this.” Actually, courage should be pretty easy to summon—does anyone seriously think that dysfunctional humanity can remove the Earth from the Cosmic Whole and the ordering power of Love? The victory is ultimately ours! Be strong and of a good courage.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world’s sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
This is a beautiful piece Jerry and so vital in these days. It is wonderful to feel your commitment to this courageous way of Life and I join you in it.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Courage! Courage! Courage! Strength! Strength! Strength! Victory! Victory! Victory! Love on ya, jerry, and keep up the God work! And did I say VICTORY? Loving thanks, Tom
Thank you, Jerry. For me, your inspired words have followed a conversation I just had with someone who needed to hear about courage. I trust that your message was a confirmation from Spirit that I have offered to this person what was the most helpful at this time. Love to you.
Remembering that we came here on purpose helps – Love and Light
To be of good courage is to stand steady in the knowing of our purpose here on earth. Stand stand steady in whatever is and whatever comes into our lives.
Thank you, Jerry, for the powerful reminder.