That cat is either brave or blind.
I think both.
Perhaps blindness is the essence of bravery.
We saw it last Friday in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater. Heroes who reacted courageously. They were brave ... and blind.
Blind to what could have happened to them.
Blind to chaotic panic around them.
Blind to all else except the needs of others.
Each hero interviewed afterward didn't know they possessed such bravery. In fact, they didn't consider it bravery at all. It was just the right thing to do.
The experts call it reactionary bravery. But not everyone is wired that way. It's a God-given gift that separates natural born leaders from followers.
When threatening situations occur -- be it a random shooting, raging fire, or blaring tornado sirens -- natural leaders react immediately.
They start organizing. Giving instructions. Helping others remain calm. They choose to be blind to their own fear.
Sounds a lot like Jesus.
Besides being God in the flesh, Jesus possessed something entirely different: intentional bravery.
He knew death on a cross awaited, yet never asked anyone to talk him out of it. He didn't run or hide behind the disciples. He intentionally blinded himself against His human fear. He stood resolute, endured ridicule, bore the beatings, carried the cross, and died.
All without uttering a single protest: "But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 'Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?' Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise." Matthew 27:12-14
That's intentional bravery personified. As the events toward His murder progressed, Jesus blinded Himself to excruciating pain and humiliation.
He didn't consider it bravery either. It was just the right thing to do to fulfill His Father's plan.
He chose blindness so that one day we could SEE.
He promised that those who believe by faith what His sacrifice and resurrection accomplished will see Him face-to-face and spend eternity with Him and all the company of heaven. And eternity is a very, very long time. This life? It's only a short dress rehearsal.
Bravery? It's about becoming blind in order to face the unthinkable. In your life, what represents the unthinkable?
At one time or another I bet you've had to be brave.
Webster's defines brave as possessing or displaying courage. When we label someone courageous, perhaps we think of a physically abused wife escaping in the middle of the night with her children. Or when someone takes a stand for what's right when everyone else takes a seat. Or when someone stands between an intruder's weapon and complete strangers.
Or perhaps what it takes to follow Christ.
With Scripture as our guide, we walk courageously wherever He leads, with love at the forefront.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27
Following Him wholeheartedly epitomizes intentional bravery. To help people when others won't. To endure jeers and taunts against your faith when others can't believe without seeing Jesus in the flesh. To forgive when the world screams to hate.
It's a well-worn path trod by those faith-filled heroes who have gone before us.
Following Jesus isn't blind faith.
It's blind, courageous, outrageous bravery.
Do you believe you are brave? What circumstances have caused you to be courageous?
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