Be Of Good Courage
During a Zoom on-line staff meeting, Mrs PJ reported that IGNITE was creating a "virtual choir" video for our worship service Sunday morning. IGNITE, In God Nothing Is Too Extreme, is the PVUMC Worship Arts Ministry for youth, led by P.J. Bolduc. Mrs. PJ sent the youth a video of her singing each of the four vocal parts along with instructions on how to record themselves. They rehearsed on their own, then watched the video of Mrs. PJ on one device while filming themselves on a different device. Basically, they submitted an a cappella version of the song. Then, through technology and the help of PJ’s husband and daughter, all the videos were blended together. PJ shared that some of the youth were nervous, some were not confident in their singing, some hid in their rooms alone to do the video. This stuck with me all week! I can promise you that Jill Newsome would never do that! I was so impressed with these youths! All week, I thanked God for them and their courage!
Sunday morning came and they were amazing. Immediately, I was brought to tears by their courage. What a blessing they were as their light shone. Pastor Barry’s Monday morning devotional was about IGNITE singing, “Let your light shine.” Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Pastor Barry’s message was that we let our actions; those of the children of God, proclaim the good news and let His light shine in this time of darkness and even death. And to let it show for His glory. IGNITE glorified God! Courage made victory possible!
I thought this week about the fear I would have if I had to send in an a cappella video. I think there are a lot of people facing fear right now. With the Covid-19, we are avoiding large gatherings, maintaining at least 6 feet between people and avoiding crowds. These restrictions, alone, have some people facing fear. Fear grips people and can paralyze us from doing what God wants us to do. Fear is one of Satan’s biggest tools. To be courageous is not being fearless, but refusing to give in to fear.
Joshua 1:7, “Be strong and very courageous.” The Bible is full of courageous people. Abram left his homeland to follow the Lord. Moses marched in before Pharaoh demanding, “Let my people go!” Young David went to meet Goliath! Joshua was about to take over Moses’ place. I cannot imagine how scared they all were. God’s first words to Joshua were about courage. Three times he told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” Fear was their reaction but courage was their decision based on their faith.
2 Samuel 10:12, “Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight.” Courage is putting our hope in Jesus and having the faith to step forward. There are people in our lives who need us to be strong and courageous. As Christians, we need to lead the way and set the example. This is what IGNITE did! They were of good courage and shared a message of hope to not only their church families but all of those we do not even know about - literally all around the world!
IGNITE, thank you for being the church and blessing us Sunday morning. Let’s all be like Paul, who told his friends, in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” Courage makes victory possible!
To watch the IGNITE Video as past of the 9:45 May 10th Service, visit https://pvumc.net/sermons