Bravery

 Im still trying to work out what I think about Will Smith and his violent outburst at the Oscars.  Somewhere underneath all of the outrage and the apologies and the rest, is a woman who has lost her hair and is bravely putting herself out in the public eye as a role model for others.  And yes, I know it was a red carpet and she is hugely privileged and courts publicity.  But still.  She is brave.

I didnt watch the Oscars, I just saw the endless repetition of the slap on the new channels all day.  I also only watched the news footage of the Queen at Prince Philip's memorial.  But there was another woman dressed in green being incredibly brave. Im sure she must have been in alot of pain walking into the Abbey and sitting for 45 minutes through the service.  She certainly looked rather exhausted and sad.  Bless her.  She is such a trooper. How hard must it be to have to sit through a memorial service knowing that millions of people around the world will be watching you?  Ive had to sit through a few myself and its an intensely emotional and personal thing.  

And then there's Volodimir Zelenski sitting night after night in front of a screen broadcasting messages of strength and hope and challenge to the world.  He looks exhausted.  He must know he has a target on his back. I think he is remarkable just to have kept going with such passion and wisdom for a month with no break.  

The thing is that none of these people have chosen to be brave.  Jada Pinkett Smith didnt ask to have alopecia.  She just got this very upsetting condition and was forced to live with it whilst also being in the public eye.  The Queen has suddenly found herself unable to do the thing she has done all her life - stand and chat to people whilst smiling and waving.  She is 96 and her joints are shot.  She needs to put her feet up and use a wheelchair and have afternoon snoozes in front of the fire.  But she is the Queen so she cant.  Zelenski didnt choose to have to become a brave and noble wartime leader.  Im sure its the last thing he would have wanted on his record.  But war happened and he has stepped up.

Im sure that many events over the past couple of years have caused us to wonder ' how would I cope if that was me?'  How would I cope if I had to be a doctor on a Covid ward?   How would I deal with becoming seriously ill?  Would I be able to pick up a gun if my country was invaded?  Could I use it?  What if I was taken captive and held for 6 years by a brutal regime?  What if I was told Id be killed unless I renounced my faith?    Ive chatted with people over the past couple of years about these things and mostly we come to the conclusion that we are not at all brave and that we would fail miserably at all the above.   But actually..........  I think there is maybe something else that comes into play whenever we are faced with a situation that calls for bravery.

I think of Stephen in Acts 7.  There is no reason to assume that he was anyone particularly brave.  He was Godly and full of the Holy Spirit, but his job had been to sort out the administration of the foodbank.  He finds himself dragged into a dispute and having to answer for his faith and this enrages his accusers.  All of a sudden his situation becomes serious - there are people wanting his head and just as its all getting scary this happens.

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 

This verse gives me great comfort and confidence.  Because I genuinely believe that before this verse Stephen was probably terrified of how this was all going and what was about to happen.  But after this verse he was calm, confident and brave.  God revealed Himself at the very moment when Stephen's courage might have been about to vanish. The revelation was enough to give Stephen the grace not only to endure being stoned, but to forgive those who were killing him.   Amazing. 

Ive known a couple of people who have faced death with extraordinary courage.  Each said that God was so present to them in their suffering and struggles that it made what seemed impossible, possible.

I hope I never have to be brave.  But if I do then Im pretty sure God will give me what I need to face whatever I need to face.  Today I pray for everyone needing courage to face the day that they will see Jesus so clearly that strength will rise.