Courage Is Fear That Prays

Courage Is Fear That Prays

SEIZE THE DAY

The sun and the north wind were arguing over who was more powerful.  They saw a man walking down the street wearing an overcoat.  The north wind said, “I’ll bet I can get that man to take off his coat faster than you.” 

The sun said, “You’re on.”

The north wind blew and blew, but the harder it tried the more that man held on to his overcoat.  Then the sun rose up and shined and the man took off his overcoat. 

In the movie “Dead Poet’s Society,” Robin Williams looks at pictures in the trophy room of all of the heroes and teams of old and very eloquently tells us that we will all soon be “Food for worms.”  Thus, he says, "Carpe’ diem - seize the day!"   

Your days on earth are numbered.  So isn’t it a shame that you put so many of the most important things off, mostly handling your latest crisis, and awake to find that you forget to live.  

Out of fear of the consequences, endless distractions, and/or procrastination you do not grab for the things you really want, that really matter, and you've been authentically called to do.  For most, the dreams they had once slowly fade away along with their health, energy, and enthusiasm for life until.

As Robin Williams character, Mr. Keating tells us from 1 of the Roman poet Horace's work Odes (23 BC) – “Carpe diem, seize the day, gather ye rose buds when ye may.” 

When Michael Jordan was asked what made him such a hero.  He said that the reason most people never take those last second shots and why so many who do miss them, is that they are “worried about the consequences.”  He said,  “Whenever you think about the consequences it’s always negative.” ‘What will happen if I miss?’ I always say. “What will happen if I make it?”

Teach children to never say the words: embarrassed, tired, should, can’t, later, might, wish, hopefully, or if.  Many of these words do not even exist in other languages.  Words are powerful! Don’t use your words to describe your situation, use your words to change your situation.

Your basic state you were created to live in is your state of freedom. However, most people live in a prison. By avoiding the call of our hearts because we’re afraid of consequences or what people may think, we can really miss what on earth we are here for.  What is in your head or from other people is not from God. Live in your head and you’re dead. God speaks through your heart. Live in your heart and you let God do His part.

Express yourself and be thankful. Let the sun come out and shine. If not, we just keep pulling that overcoat more tightly around us, building thicker walls and stronger bars in our prison. Go for it and go for it now.

Carpe’… carpe’… carpe’… carpe’ diem…    

With God all Things are Possible,

Dr. Ben Lerner

Ben Lerner