Key Traits of Missional Leaders: Courage
Key Traits for Missional Leaders: Courage
Our family vacation at the beach was teetering on the brink of disaster. My family loves the beach, but on this occasion, my youngest daughter refused to get in the water. More precisely, she was horrified at the thought of the prospect of venturing more than 2 or 3 steps into the surf. This was a major problem for the Russell clan because when we go to the beach, we go to the beach. In other words, we are a water loving family who spends 5-6 hours per day floating, surfing, splashing, swimming, and diving in the water. There had been a storm out in the Gulf of Mexico a few days before our arrival so the waves were unusually choppy for the Gulf””not wild but not the usual slow rolling ones either. She was afraid of the waves. The next day, the waves were back to normal, but she was still steadfast in her refusal to enter the water. With our youngest spooked, either my wife or I had to stay “beached” in order to watch her.
Up for the challenge, I took my youngest for a stroll and talked to her about courage. I told her that it is OK to be afraid but that she needed to face her fear. I reminded her of the fun that she had experienced playing in the ocean only a couple of weeks before.
I asked her if she trusted me. She said, “Yes.”
I took her hand and slowly walked with her toward the surf. She recoiled. I stopped and said, “It’s just you and me. I will be with you the whole time. Trust me. Let’s take a couple of steps at a time.” She nodded and moved forward with me.
So we re-entered the world of ocean two small steps at a time. Ten minutes later the Russell clan was having its usual great time in the ocean. Amazingly, my youngest decided to try her hand and standing up on one of our floats in an attempt to ride the small waves. What a change!
As I swam over to her, I noticed that she was singing. Here is what I heard:
Courage is the key to victory;
It opens up the door to explore;
Courage is the key to victory;
It opens up the door to explore.
“Where did you learn that song?”
“I made it up today.”
“Wow, it’s great.”
“Dad, thank you for teaching me about courage. It made it easier for me to face my fears.”
Courage is the key to victory. Or as I like to say, “Courage is the key that unlocks the door to the future of God’s dreams.” As leaders in God’s mission in the 21st century, we need to recapture the importance of courage in our lives and in the lives of our communities. I have written about the importance of courage elsewhere on this blog. Here are some practical lessons that I learned while at the beach:
1) Be a person that others can trust.
If we are going to lead others in facing their own fears and moving forward toward God’s future, we have to be trustworthy. My daughter followed me into the surf because as her father I had gained her trust.
Can others trust me in times of fear and paralysis when courage is needed?
2) It easier to face fears in community.
My daughter and I walked into the water together. I didn’t encourage or force her to make a solo entry. Even larger than life heroic figures from films such Braveheart and Gladiator acted in partnership with group.
With whom can I partner to move forward through my own fears?
3) Fears are best faced head on.
As we walked into the surf together, we moved directly into the waves. These was no other way. Objects of fear always loom larger when they are in the rearview mirror.
When will I turn into the waves?
4) Courage is gained one step at a time.
The hardest step is usually the first. Each step forward is a little easier.
Where do you need to grow in courage?
To what future is God calling you to participate in?
How would you need to change in order to be a catalyst for courageous living in your community of faith?
To whom do you look to gain confidence to face your fears?
© 2007 Brian D. Russell