Courage versus Bravery
When was the last time you did something courageous? When your hands were sweating and heart beating like a caged bird?
I’ve heard it said that bravery is a part of who you are, while courage is what you do despite being afraid. For some of us having a brave heart is not natural. It is not sewn into the fabric of our being. This part of our character has not been hewn.
In the movie “We Bought a Zoo” the main character Benjamin Mee introduces us to this thought, “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage.”
This is the beginning of his love story for his late wife. Twenty seconds of courage gave him the gumption to open a door and step inside. A simple motion but committing to those seconds led to meeting his soulmate.
The biblical narrative of Esther is gripping. An unlikely queen of Jewish decent hidden in a Persian palace. The fate of her people rested on her shoulders. Not many of us could tell such a story. Her 20 seconds of courage saved an entire people group.
But how did she get there? Was she a brave soul from birth?
Scripture doesn’t disclose her character, but it does paint a picture of pain and hardship she endured.
Esther was an orphan in exile (Esther 2:5-7). Both her parents died, and she was left in the care of her cousin Mordecai. She was taken captive and forced into a life she did not choose (Esther 2:8). She was instructed to hide her Jewish identity but would also have been targeted in the murderous plot to annihilate her people. Esther faced execution when stepping into the king’s inner court without being summoned (Esther 4:11-5:1).
Twenty seconds of insane courage. She had fasted for three days. Her skin would have been pale and grayish in color after going without food and water for those days. Dehydration would have caused her mind to be sluggish. The lack of nourishment would have weakened her body and likely intensified her shaking hands. Not the best situation in which to present yourself before the king of the known world at the time. She didn’t know when she put on her royal robes if they would also be the clothes she would be buried in.
Courage to get dressed.
Courage to step into the inner court.
Courage to speak up.
I have never been considered a brave person. But there are moments when an opportunity arises, where the caged bird of my heart moves my feet to action.
Fearful? Yes.
Terrified of the outcome? Yes.
But it’s in those moments that I can also feel the Maker building bravery into my character. Jesus has been my motivation. He was and is bravery incarnate. He could touch disease and demon possession because He knew who he was. He could walk on water and silence a fearful storm because He knew his purpose.
But He also knew courage. A chilling garden at midnight and great drops of blood proved He was courageous when He asked the Father for another way for His will to be accomplished, then willingly submitted to His captors to be crucified.
Courage incarnate.
The cross awaited Him. The greatest victory over the grave was accomplished through His bravery and courageous act of submission. The wonders of His love to act on our behalf.
Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrews 5:8-9
Esther’s moments of courage secured Israel’s place in history. Thousands of lives saved from annihilation. But that moment in history was brought about by the thousands of little brave moments she had faced before. The hardship she faced in her early life forged a beautiful brave heart.
Written by Kori, LIFE staff
As we celebrate Purim and remember Esther’s bravery and God’s faithfulness, would you consider reading the Book of Esther along with the Jewish community?
What is the Lord asking you to do that will require courage?
Want to learn more about Purim? Check out: https://lifeinmessiah.org/feasts-purim