THE FOLLOWING IS A TRUE STORY – During the summer of 1986, in Wyncote, PA four currently well-known pastors were involved in the rescue of an elderly man from a wreckage due to his accident. Each one of them played a vital role in this heroic true story, thus participating in the Christian boys to men process.
The loud crashing sound came from just up the hill from where we were. My father, brother and another friend had just gotten our soft pretzels, and each of us with a different reaction to an emergency situation. Thus separating the men from the boys.
My father and brother ran toward the bang. Our friend and I ran the opposite direction, seeking our safety. At the crash site, a reckless car lost its control, as the driver rampaged stepping on the gas pedal, and taking out two light posts, a newspaper stand and the front window of the local dinner at the corner of Cheltenham Av. and Easton Rd, right across the Cedarbrook Plaza.
Dad and Davi were the first ones to arrive at crash. Instinctively, they removed the driver from the car, assessing the situation. As my father began to check for the man’s vital signs, he instructed my brother to go back to the wrecked car and remove the battery wires (which were giving off sparks). “No way, Dad!” he replied, and continued: “I risked myself to save the man, but I’m not going close to that car again. Let it blow!”
I was only twelve at that time, and our visitor friend did well in steering me away from danger. Only after we made certain the peril was over, we carefully walked over to the debris filled scene of the accident. When we got there we saw the whole big mess, a bunch of people watching, and the only help while help was on the way was Dad and Davi.
Back then; my dad was a student at Westminster Theological Seminary, also furthering his graduate studies at CCEF (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation)—So he wanted to put into practice some of the skills he was learning in theory. To no success, it seemed, my father began to speak to the man. His response was puzzling. He just catatonically stared at my father’s face, and it looked like he was in shock. It was then that my brother noted that Dad was speaking in Portuguese to the man. His astonishment was due to not understanding a single word he was saying; rather to the wreck itself. (Oh boy!)
After the firemen and paramedics arrived, feeling the thrill of saving the day, we walked back to the Cedarbrook Plaza, so my Dad could treat us to an ice scone. As we made our way there, our visiting friend said in a low voice. “I hate it that I learned how to run away from trouble instead of being the hero…”
What is it that separates the men from the boys? What does the Bible say about courage? What does the bible say about cowardice? In scripture, courage is also referred to as "good cheer" which means boldness and confidence.
Cowardice, o the other hand, the word translated “cowardly” in the few places where the actual word is mentioned, implies fearfulness and timidity. It is also defined sometimes, that a coward is someone who doesn’t have the courage to do difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant things. (John 20.19, Matthew 14.5, 1 Samuel 13.6-7, 1 Kings 19.2-3, Jonah 1.10)
However, it would be too simple and unfair to label the new kids on the block by simply evaluating their reactions to danger. As we grow in the lord, maturing from boys to men, we are assured from his protection, and we rely on his guidance so that we may do our duty, to help others as we conquer our fears and live a life full of determination. It is God that commands us to have courage, and that requires faith and confidence in Him. (1 Chronicles 28:20, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Ephesians 6:10)
What happened that day, was not a showcase to separate boy from men, it was actually a display of the different way we exercise our gifts and talents, as we become heroes in God’s eyes. Once we are in Christ, God sees us through Jesus’ heroic success, and no through our own strengths and weaknesses. In 2Corinthians 5.17, we are told that when we are in Christ we are made new creatures. We become courageous and shed ourselves from fear, anxiety and cowardice. Here’s how:
1. The young Christian boy - In Luke 2.41-52, we read about Jesus going to the temple and surprising all the elders by his knowledge of scripture. As a child, no one is expected to do more then what a child does. If your childhood heroic deeds didn’t make the news, or if you think you should have done more; you can be sure that your role as a young Christian boy is not to jump into a fire or do something dangerous. You do have to have the courage to accept that God has many specific plans for your life. You should get to know the word of Scripture!
2. The Christian visitor -Sometimes we are called to be witnesses to what God is doing, and just as Paul and Barnabas were called to minister the word of God, In Acts 13.42-52, our visiting friend was there to be my company, helping me, keeping me out of harm’s way. He was there to witness, and in that way, he was a participant in the story of heroism that afternoon.
3. The Christian young man – Courage and foolishness may sometimes confuse themselves. One may risk himself for the sake of others, that is courage. But placing yourself at risk for appearances or less important situations is just plain dumb. Like when my brother went into the wreckage to get the man out, but chose not to do it once there was nobody else to rescue. If you find yourself seeking affirmation, look to Christ. When you find yourself needing significance, look for Jesus. When danger surrounds you, and fear begins to grow, look to Christ (Philippians 1:29–30).
4. The Christian mature man - We need to be strong (2 Corinthians 10.9). God is almighty and powerful (Psalm 147.5), and he calls us to be heroes. He calls us to tend to the widow and the orphan (Psalm 146.9). He calls us to have compassion and to council the bumped and bruised, like my father did to the driver in the crash (Isaiah 40.11; Luke 1.78).
Our calling in Christ is not to be tough guys who are insensitive to the needs and feelings of others. We are definitely not called to be hypersensitive people without any backbone, who fold and flee from trouble. What separates boys from men is not what we do. The difference is in how we do it.
Finally, don’t forget the promise from Joshua 1.9: “The Lord, your God will be with you wherever you go.” He is only a prayer away. He makes heroes out of boys and turns boys into men we grow in our walk with him.
