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LAKE EUNICE EVANGELICAL

FREE CHURCH

Gurkhas                                                                                               

Merilee Ottoson

 

In Tim Bowden’s book, One Crowded Hour, there is a description of an incident that took place in Borneo in 1964. Nepalese fighters, known as Gurkhas, were asked if they would be willing to jump from airplanes into combat against their Indonesian enemies. The Gurkhas did not clearly understand what was involved in this battle plan, but they bravely agreed. They asked if the plane could fly slowly over a swampy area and NO higher than 100 feet. They were then told that the parachutes would not have enough time to open at that height. The Gurkhas replied, “Oh, you didn’t tell us there would be parachutes!” The Gurkhas were known to be the most feared and finest soldiers in the world. What COURAGE!!


Do we need courage to live for God? Yes!! It is our job to hold up the Biblical standard even when it is difficult. And it takes courage to speak to others of our convictions. When the disciples followed Jesus, they did it because they saw in Him TRUTH worth living for and eventually---worth dying for. According to Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, “courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act in spite of the fear.”


Courage is NOT prideful boasting! It is not “putting someone in their place” because they are wrong. Forcing others to do as you wish does not show courage either. The dictionary tells us that the definition of courage is to “do something that frightens you, and/or the quality of being willing to face negative situations involving danger or pain.” Throughout the Bible there are numerous accounts of men and women who followed God’s directions, even when it meant walking alone. Moses, Noah, Esther, Daniel and the three Hebrew boys…..walked lonely and dangerous paths with courage. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

 

Sometimes courage can be shown

by quiet confidence in the One Whose hand you hold….

Walking a difficult path when no one else walks with you…..

Seeing and knowing the right thing to do and then doing it …

if necessary….by yourself.