True Courage

All children learn that memory verse. It is easy to quote and difficult to ‘be’. Being courageous – what does that mean?

To me it means a ‘salmon-swim’ – going upstream. It means getting up each day when it would be easier to stay in bed. It means encouraging others when you need to be encouraged. It means being a leader when you know it isolates you from what is the norm.

Being courageous is a way of life, an outlook stemming from an inner strength and commitment. It is the courage to continue that counts.

When I received a coloring page from my second grade teacher that contained a windmill, my mother began telling me of the courage of our ancestors. Their story continues to fascinate me. From that story, I gain an anchor that steadies my life and gives me insights.

We call it History when events are glossed over in a superficially. It isn’t people-deep. Events are long days for those who live them. Events are unending blur of time when there seems to be no end in sight. When those times come, what is our anchor? What is our inner strength? A glib ‘Hang in there!” from a friend doesn’t touch the depths of our heart.

I re-read the chronicles of the Jacob Siemens family compiled by my brother Bennie James Siemens. It read: The Siemens Family left Russia in 1874 for United States. Those listed on the ship’s manifest were: Jacob Siemens II, age 79 – Jacob Siemens III, Age 51 – His wife Elisabeth, Age 48 – Jacob Siemens IV, age 25 – His wife Anna, age 20 and infant daughter Anna – Anna Siemens, age 22 – Elisabeth Siemens age 19 – Johann Siemens, age 16 – Abraham Siemens, age 14 – David Siemens, age 11 – Agatha Siemens, age 4 and Heinrich Siemens, age 1.

Thirteen family members who packed for a trip across the ocean from Russia to United States. I look around my house and wonder what I would pack for a new life in a new country. A new country that is largely unknown. How many prayers were uttered by these people for wisdom, health and a strong faith to make this trip? This is a farming family. What tools would they need in the new country?

What about Jacob Siemens II (age 79)? Did he want to leave the land where his wife was buried? As the oldest member of the family would he have the strength to begin life anew and face all the new challenges? There were only three women who would do the work of packing for the thirteen people. What if they forgot something that was crucial? Much decision-making was needed. Food, clothing, tools, the family Bible all needed to be crated for the ocean voyage.

What about Baby Anna and Heinrich at the age of 1, think of the soiled diapers aboard a ship. There were no Huggies available. No baby food, no cradle to lay the children in for the night.

Can you imagine the impatience of Jacob Siemens IV, age 25, Johann Siemens, age 16, and Abraham Siemens, age 14, to begin the adventure in life. What were the first scenes that they saw? What impact did it have on their resolve?

A decision of that magnitude is always based on a WHY. This WHY was for the spiritual freedom to worship and to live in peace. A strong belief that God would provide and care for them prevailed among them and the risk was taken.

As I look at this picture of the 5^th Generation of Jacob Siemens family, I realize the strength of God’s promises. My Grandpa, pictured here, learned to preach, not in a seminary, but striding back and forth behind the barn. He held the open Bible in his hands and preached God’s Word to the fields and the animals. Later my Grandpa traveled many miles preaching as he went until a paralysis stopped him. What did he think when this gift of preaching was taken from him. Even today, I hear about the thoughtful sermons of my Grandfather Siemens, the 5^th generation of the Jacob Siemens family!

Do we hear the words when things happen in our lives that we find uncomfortable, dangerous or unwanted?

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. I Chronicles 22:13b

Courage begins with conviction and a commitment to that conviction against all odds. To some, the conviction is self-pride or self-worth. This conviction is shallow and brittle to live out. Instead, we look to the only place where we find a sure foundation for our courage.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

It isn’t about me, it is about love that gives me courage. There is only one place where true love is available…That, too is the first verse I learned… God is love. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

How tenuous is that love when we do not protect and lift up our faith. I Corinthians 16:13 says… Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

In every era and every age our faith and courage is at risk if we do not stand firm in God. The details of my life are not as important as the legacy of faith I leave – the things I hope for, the things I pray for – may it be the message I leave to my family from age to age.

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. C. S. Lewis