"THE COURAGE TO BE"

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This morning I thought I spied two bald eagles across the river, but I wasn’t sure  because they were so far away.  However, this afternoon I confirmed the sighting of one, wings outstretched, content to soar effortlessly, rising on the updraft against a bright blue sky.  Solomon was right; such a sight is too wonderful to understand. (Proverbs 30: 19)  There was no need or desire to understand.  It was sufficient just to sit there in awe and enjoy.

Living suspended in present is one of the greatest moments of life.  I agree with Paul Tillich, it takes courage to live in the present: no thought of the past, no thought of the future, willing to live in the eternity of the present.  Why does it take courage?  Because when time once again claims your attention, your life may change forever, and people fear change.


What you may have built your whole life may no longer be as fulfilling.  There may be a call on your life to attempt what you were comfortable believing was impossible.  You might feel the need to walk on water, sell all that you have and feed the poor, or ask a tyrant for the body of a young man after the tyrant ordered his execution.  You might just discover that living is more than doing something.  You might claim the highest calling; “The Courage to Be.”

I decided to do something I haven't done in a while; I made reservations and asked my wife out on a date without telling her where.  She said, "Yes!"

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