Courage in an Age of Apathy

When asked to do something challenging, many respond, "Who, me?" It's as if they don't want to have their peaceful lives disturbed with anything difficult. How about you? Are you willing to be a courageous leader?

by David Treybig

When terrorists flew airplanes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, courageous firefighters and police officers went up into the buildings in an effort to save others. Many lost their own lives when the towers collapsed. That was courage! In the subsequent funerals and memorial services, these individuals have been rightfully honored and praised for their courage and leadership in a time of grave difficulty.

Courage and leadership go hand-in-hand; it seems as though you can't have one without the other. After all, anyone displaying courage is going to have others following him or her. And chances are, wherever you find a good leader, you'll find someone who has courage. Of course, going into burning buildings isn't the only way to display courage.

Many years ago God told Joshua to be courageous in his mission to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Specifically, God said, "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go" (Joshua 1:6-7, emphasis added).

Courage includes standing up for what is right when no one else will. Courage is obeying God when others don't seem to care. Courage is setting the right example regardless of what others say or do. Perhaps you haven't realized it before—but it takes courage to obey God as a Christian. In this issue of Youth United, we're going to focus on this important subject in an effort to help all of us become more courageous Christians. As we do, we'll become leaders for others to follow.

Since many young people wonder if they can be leaders as young people, we begin with articles titled "Leadership...Is It for You?" and "Too Young to Lead?" that address this very question. The next article, "Christianity Isn't for Wimps," shows that it takes effort by people at all ages to obey God.

"Courage Under Fire" begins with the story of a young person who was recently assaulted at high school and illustrates the difference between happiness and goodness. Next comes an important article by 19-year-old Erik Jones titled "Explain Your Beliefs Without Losing Friends."

Moving to your educational development, we offer articles titled "Is the Bible Study Course for Young People?" and "Planning Your Career—Part 1" by Greg Johnson, a professional career counselor. We are also introducing a new feature, "News for Youth"—a compilation of information related to young people. Finally, we have another set of "Questions and Answers" wherein the questions come directly from young people.

We hope this issue will inspire and encourage you to become a more courageous Christian in this age of apathy! YU