I don't feel like the reputation of Christians today is one of courage and bravery. But it ought to be. The first Christians embraced a life of risk and faith, and the book of Acts is full of their inspiring stories. These first Christians (Stephen, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and countless others) were so moved by the message and mission of Jesus that they stopped at nothing to spread that message and share in that mission.
One of the clearest illustrations of this courage is in Acts 14. Paul is sharing the gospel with the people of Lystra when the crowd turns on him, and he is dragged out of the city and stoned--seemingly to death. But Paul recovers only to return to Lystra to strengthen the faith of the believers there. To re-enter Lystra is a suicide mission, but Paul lives his life of the edge. He stares danger in the face and lives to tell the story.
May I live as Paul did--so focused on the message and mission of Jesus that one day my life will tell a great story of courage as well.
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