“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” – Proverbs 28:1
Action is uncomfortable, and boldness will draw attention. It is easier to hide, be quiet, and use any excuse to be apathetic. Effectively “fleeing when no man pursueth.” The devil uses fear and doubt as chains to shackle those in pursuit of righteousness. Which is why the righteous are as bold as a lion. We must be so.
To this day, I can still remember when my Dad first taught me how to cut the grass. He showed me how to start it. He showed me where to put gas in. He showed me how to engage the blade and cut straight lines. With sweat on my brow, ache in my legs, and a smile on my face, I led that mower over the entire yard. Then cleaned it off, and put it up until our next engagement. As time went by (a couple weeks or so), the joy of cutting the grass soon faded. When it was time to mow the lawn there was no more spring in my step, I had to be persuaded, prodded, and lectured to get me to do anything. The reason for my apathy was I had learned how to talk myself into apathy. From the first time I cut the grass to the hundredth time I cut it; the obstacles that stood in my way, largely, had not changed. The only thing that had changed was my outlook and attitude. The first time, it was a new and exciting adventure. The hundredth time, it was a chore, and when it became a chore I found reasons to do nothing. In the morning, it was too wet, in the afternoon, it was too hot, and in the evening, it was too dark. I was mentally searching for obstacles to use as excuses. Intentionally enlarging minuscule adversity in order to justify not do anything! The reality is, this does not just happen, when it comes to cutting the grass. Stop and ask yourself, how many lost souls do you think remain that way, simply because the righteous talk themselves into apathy? How often do we mentally search for obstacles to use as excuses to do or not do something for God. Search your heart, has there been neglect to witness to your hairdresser, co-worker, grocer, schoolmate, simply because of reasoning to apathy? I myself confess that there have been occasions where the only thing that kept me from proclaiming the message of Christ was a possible raised eyebrow. Talking yourself into apathy can extend to many situations. How many times have we quenched the moving of the Holy Ghost because, “that’s just not what they do here.” How many times have we neglected our personal devotion time to the scriptures with a promise of “I will get to it later.” I pray that I am very alone in this matter, but my fear is that I am not. When God puts something on our hearts, whether it is a new and exciting adventure or nothing short of a chore, it does not matter, we must go out in obedience. Fleeing from the task is shameful, and wicked. The antidote to apathy is a good dose of faith.
When we proclaim that we are Christian’s, followers of Christ, and the Master puts something on your heart; it is there for a reason. You might think it uncomfortable to carry it out. You might be a little embarrassed or feel a little corny…well, really, who cares? Let us be bold as a lion! Take the leap and say, “Lord, I will.” He will guide and direct us. God does not need us to be qualified; he needs us to be willing. To be bold.
