By now, most of us are very familiar with the tragic Florida school shooting on Valentine’s Day.
We’ve heard stories of the courageous assistant football coach who died in an effort to save students. There are other stories of teachers barricading their rooms and not letting their students out to keep them safe.
We’ve also heard the story of the school resource officer who failed to engage with the shooter for up to four minutes of the approximate six-minute shooting rampage.
There may be more to the story that hasn’t come out yet but it appears the officer failed to take action when he needed to. His fear was greater than his courage. First of all, let me say that I want to provide this man with a lot of grace. I have no idea how I would react in a situation like that so I am not going to throw stones. None of us will ever know until we are in those shoes and I pray that most of us never have to find out.
A website called Info for Families put out an article a few days ago written by Barrett Johnson. The article is about the need to begin to have conversations about courage. You can read the article here.
This has been my passion for over seven years now. Fear confronts us everyday in both our personal and professional lives. We rarely talk about our fears and often times we don’t even recognize them because they are a default for us. When we don’t confront our fears we are going to pay a price.
The resource officer allegedly didn’t courageously step into his fear and lives were lost. That’s a big price that can never be repaid. Could he have lost his life had he bravely gone into the school? Yes, and that would have been a big price as well. Shortly after the incident the officer resigned from his position. He will be paying a price for the rest of his life because he chose fear over courage. I can’t imagine the living hell he must be putting himself through as he ponders his choice.
This is about as dramatic example of our daily battle between fear and courage as we can get. Lives were lost.
It happens to us in many other ways in which the price isn’t as great but a price is being paid nonetheless.
Do you have an employee that you allow to get away with coming into work late every day because you’re afraid to confront them because of how they’ll react? Other employees see that and lose respect for you. You’re paying a price.
Do you allow your kids to get away with coming home past curfew because you’re afraid to discipline them? They will continue to do it along with other things and they will lose respect for you. You’re paying a price.
Do you have an elderly parent that shouldn’t be driving anymore but you don’t confront them because you’re afraid of how they will react? When they get in an accident someone else will pay a price and you will too.
Do you have a gift or a talent that you’re not sharing with others because you don’t think you’re good enough? Others are paying a price by you not sharing your gift.
These are just a few examples of the price of a fearful life or a courageous life. The list goes on and, likely, you have some thoughts going on in your head as you read this.
In his sermon on Sunday my pastor said, “Love rushes in with no regard for self,” a true statement to be sure. Another true statement is created with the change of one word. Courage rushes in with no regard for self.
My hope and prayer is that none of us are ever put in a situation similar to the school resource officer. Also, my hope and prayer is that we can all begin to lead more courageous lives so if we are we respond in courage rather than react in fear!
Joshua 1:9
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
