A little bit of virtue can go a long way.
Jesus said, The faith of a mustard seed can move mountains. Peter said an act of love can cover a multitude of sins.
It’s the same with courage. Sometimes it only takes a little bit of courage to change things for the better.
Take Karissa Erickson for example. This Colorado Mesa University nursing student prepared a speech for her upcoming graduation ceremony. But when university officials read her prepared comments, and saw that they included the words, “God always has a purpose. I find comfort in Jesus’ words, and I pass them onto you…” after which she quotes John 16:33, the university demanded she strike the God-talk.
Rather than yield, Erickson contacted a legal Christian advocacy group, Alliance Defending Freedom, which quickly sent a letter to the school informing it of Erickson’s legal right to discuss religion in public forums. The university backed down.
What’s impressive about the entire exchange was that all the communication was handled without raised voices and pitchforks and protests. Karissa took a stand in a way that honored Christ and respected the law and university. But her stand was courageous nonetheless.
Sometimes it only takes a little bit of courage to change things for the better.
Or another example, consider Jeffrey McCall, who is organizing a rally in Washington D.C. this weekend called The Freedom March. McCall lived as a homosexual from age 15-27, then identified as a transgender woman until he gave his life to Christ and found healing and freedom from his sexual confusion.
The march has been organized to show the public that those who identify as LGBTQ individuals can change through the power of Christ, as a protest against those who say otherwise.
Next week in California, a radical piece of legislation, AB 2943, is up for a vote, which if passed would legally prevent professionals from trying to help a person who has identified as LGBT to return to heterosexuality. Proponents of the bill argue that such efforts are fraudulent and abusive because these individuals cannot change.
The Freedom March has been organized to show that such a belief is really what’s fraudulent.
Yet once again, what stands out about McCall’s approach and comments is the complete absence of anger and malice. He speaks of God’s mercy, and the value of each life before God, and calls the church to show the same compassion to those struggling with their sexual identities.
Be inspired by these two quiet heroes. A little bit of courage and a heart full of compassion has the power to change hearts and shake the world.
