“Courage calls to courage everywhere” appears on a statue erected in 2018 in London’s Parliament Square. The statue is that of Millicent Fawcett who is credited with “winning citizenship for women” through legislative means. She spent her lifetime campaigning for women’s rights, particularly the right to vote.
Her words suggest one person’s courage inspires others to have courage. The word encourage comes from the Old French word encoragier, meaning “make strong, hearten.” When we encourage someone, we inspire them to be strong, have courage, have heart. We give or lend our courage to others when we encourage them.
I don’t know enough about Dame Fawcett’s life to suggest she be upheld as a role model, but her words about courage can speak to us today.
This unprecedented-in-our-lifetime worldwide event is causing many to feel disheartened. Let’s take courage as instructed in I Chronicles 28:20 and “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” (NKJV)
We can inspire others to also be courageous. Reach out and connect (socially distanced of course), pray, and model courageous behavior.
Share how you have reached out lately. Or perhaps you are the one who needs to be encouraged. How can we pray for you?
Leave a Reply