The Christmas message is one of courage so let us commence by singing Song No 4 in our Nursing With A Difference Song Book –
God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour Lives.
Chorus
Because He lives,
I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives,
All fear is gone;
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives.
How sweet to hold a new-born baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
And then one day I’ll cross the river;
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.
Even the word Christmas brings confidence when we think about it:
Christ m a s
= Christ – my Assurance This
Salvation gives me courage.
From a human perspective when we think of courage automatically loyalty and love come to mind.
Evidence of the fact that loyalty to a person or to a cause may be inspired by love and by hate is one of the sad realities of life seen in every hospital in the world.
As Nurses it is timely that we think afresh of the reality of courage from both a human and a spiritual perspective:
Take a few minutes to READ:
First Luke 1:46 – 56 ‘The Magnificat’ Song of Mary that expresses great courage based on loyalty and love.
Then read Luke 1 : 26 to 38 and ponder the implications of each verse.
Now let us consider together the physical and spiritual reality of courage commencing with:
GOD’S COURAGE
To come from the position of Almighty God the Creator of all things into the womb of a young woman whom He had created.
God manifest in the flesh – God becoming man
NOT man becoming a god.
MARY’S COURAGE
To consent to, what in the eyes of the world was a shameful decision, she was already betrothed, engaged to be married. No wonder she was troubled.
The courage of Mary’s faith to listen to God’s word, to hear and to obey:
Fear not
You have found favour
His purpose in bringing Jesus into the world through her
Assurance
Mary’s walk with God gave her the courage to say ‘Be it unto me according to Thy will’.
So that her son’s words later became a reality as He taught the disciples how to pray “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven’. Mathew Chapter 6 verses 9 to 13.
Christ came to bring the Kingdom of God into the world so that while we are in this world you and I have the privilege of being a part of the Kingdom of God.
JOSEPH’S COURAGE
Read Mathew Chapter 1 Verses18 to 25
Now let us look at the human and spiritual reality
Initial emotions of shock – shame – anger – resentment gave way to higher thinking of justice and mercy – ‘Put her away quietly’.
Joseph’s courage was restored and strengthened by God’s words to him in a dream, His plan, His purpose and the assurance of Mary’s fidelity.
Joseph’s mind was transformed –
With his will he chose to accept God’s words –
When he accepted he was able to be obedient –
He took Mary, loved and protected her BUT refrained from‘Going in unto her’, Joseph respected Mary’s sanctity and kept her wholly unto the LORD.
No easy task for a man with natural emotions and God’s gift of sexuality designed to be fulfilled through marriage.
Here they were one in Christ, but after His birth they were free to become ‘one in the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God’.
What about Christ’s Courage?
Courage to become a helpless babe –
Courage to grow and play in the poor area of Nazareth, when by age 12 he knew he must be about His Heavenly Father’s business.
Courage to walk in His creation fouled by man’s carelessness, laziness, greed, indifference to truth and holiness, to the laws of God written in all of our hearts.
Magnificent Creation
Just think of the filth and stench produced by His Fellow human beings, the very masterpieces of His creation?
Courage to choose to bear the deep burden of grief for all the sin and degradation, and yet in the midst of it all to encourage, inspire and edify.
Courage to take the ultimate steps:
Courage to set His face and walk steadfastly into Jerusalem with a heart that was crying for people whose rebellion and stubbornness separated them from God, and was causing them untold heartache and suffering.
Courage to celebratethe Passover and in so doing to provide a memorial for you and me in the bread and wine
Let us pause –
‘Will you be with me at the great marriage supper of the Lamb of God?’
Christ with His bride = all those redeemed by His precious blood.
Courage to heal in the Garden of Gethsemane when His emotions were stretched to breaking point.
Christ’s courageous vision fulfilled as He stumbled with His cross, the agony, mental – physical – emotional - social - and spiritual, against every principality and power of evil in this world.
FOR YOU AND FOR ME
Finally let us look at the courage of a few who have walked with God:
Midwives Shipra and Pua
Exodus Chapter1 |
Saved a Nation – These two midwives could be united in prayer for wisdom and courage to do what was right while they worked under an unjust administration. |
Queen Vaishti
Esther Chapter 1 |
Protected and preserved God’s intent inHis gift of human sexuality for both men and women. An example that has influenced the whole world.
Vaishti’s prayer would have been unvoiced
and instantaneous for wisdom and courage. |
Queen Esther
Esther Chapters 1 to 9 |
Social correctness – shame – clothes for Uncle Mordecia – rejection – challenge.
Cowadice and fear for her own life based on the reality of prevailing law. |
| COURAGE RESTORED |
Wise Uncle – ‘Think not of thyself’ – not nice cushy words!
Esther had an assignment before God and man, to either do what was right or suffer with the rest – the consequences of her decision were inescapable just as are ours in nursing and the health services.
Esther could take three days of corporate prayer within the palace and in the nation through Uncle Mordecia.
She then had the wisdom and courage to take a stand that saved a whole nation. |
JOSHUA
Joshua 4:15
Christ is Emmanuel |
God’s word to Joshua
“Have not I commanded thee be strong and of good courage, be not afraid neither be dismayed for the LORD thy God is with you whither so ever you go.” |
| God With Us |
Joshua’s words to the people |
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“Choose you this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served, that were on the other side of the flood – or the gods in the land in which you dwell.
As for me and my house we will serve the LORD.” |
Two Nurse Administrators in one of India’s largest Police Hospitals wept
uncontrollably obviously in great distress before stating through tears ‘We
have heard the Yeshu ki Kihane (The story of Jesus) many times but never
explained as you have.’ |
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I felt sad, the Advent of Christ is not a story or mythology, it is an
historical fact for your salvation and mine, for all our students, staff,
patients and their families. We choose to accept or reject this truth. |
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Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He did not come out of
history, He made history, His birth fulfilled prophecy and marked the era BC and
AD, His Sermon on the Mount Mathew Chapters 5 to 7 takes barely 5 minutes to
read, yet has had, and continues to have,a profound influence in the whole world.
Jesus came that we might all have life and life abundantly.
When we yield ourselves to God through Jesus Christ the mystery of our spiritual
life becomes an undeniable reality and foundation of our true courage because:
In Christ God personally revealed Himself in human flesh.
To see Him is to see God (John 12:45; 14:9)
To know Him is to know God (John 8:19)
To receive Him is to receive God (Mark 9:37)
To honour Him is to honour God (John 5:23)
To reject Him is to reject God (Luke 10:16)
He is the vine the source of life; we are the branches, the channels of life.
It is only as we draw our life from Him that we bear lasting fruit.
What Christmas blessing do you really desire with all your heart?
Nurse, if there is a ‘block’, something holding you back from receiving the fullness
of God’s gift of life, do have the courage to ask God
For the gifts of faith and repentance.
- To take the fear, that so often leads to stubbornness or
- whatever it might be, right out of your heart, mind soul and spirit.
- To replace it with His glorious gift, the balm of Jesus Name and Peace.
A Nurse in Pakistan sent the following words of Greeting for Christmas which brought joy and encouragement to Nursing With A Difference Trust members. We now share this Nurse’s contribution with the 15 million+ Nurses round the world as we say ‘Thank you for being real a blessing’.
“And let all kings bow down to him, all nations serve him.” Psalm 72:11
‘I am so thankful for the birth of Jesus Christ. It ushered His Kingdom into the world. And no matter what the governments and kingdoms of this world may do, His kingdom will stand forever. What comfort we can take in this when we know we are a part of His kingdom.
Thank You, Father, for sending your son Jesus, the King of Kings!’
We end this newsletter with a song that expresses the reality of courage, love and loyalty: |
The Earth Was Dark
The earth was dark until You spoke –
Then all was light and all was peace;
Yet still, O God, so many wait;
To see the flame of love released.
Chorus Lights to the world! O Light Divine,
Kindle in us a mighty flame,
Till every heart, consumed by love
Shall rise to praise Your holy name!
In Christ You gave Your gift of life
To save us from the depth of night;
O come and set our spirits free
And draw us to Your perfect light.
Chorus Lights to the world! O Light Divine…
Where there is fear may we bring joy
And healing to a world in pain;
Lord, build Your kingdom through our lives
Till Jesus walks this earth again.
Chorus Lights to the world! O Light Divine…
O burn in us, that we may burn
With love that triumphs in despair;
And touch our lives with such a fire
That souls may search and find You there.
Chorus Lights to the world! O Light Divine,
Kindle in us a mighty flame,
Till every heart, consumed by love
Shall rise to praise Your holy name |
