Courage

Why is so easy for us to go along with making fun of the odd one out? Why is it so easy to not say anything at all and pretend to ignore the situation?

But why? WHY? When it comes to sticking up for someone, it is so stinkin’ hard?

Emmy vanDyk Wiesz came to our world religion class a couple of weeks ago and talked about the Holocaust. She was 10 years old when she became aware that if she did not go into hiding, she would be killed.
Through the presentation I became informed of the true horror and scary time that it was to be a Jew at that time. What a scary time it was to be a Jew, but also how unaffected and unknowing other people were to what was going on and being done to Jews.

But out of the whole presentation, what really got me was when the question was asked:

"Why would you choose to come talk about it with us?"

Was her answer:
“I hope that you will treat others right
When you see someone being hurt by someone else, I hope you will help them.
You can choose to do something.
1 person can help 100 people
1 person can ignore it and 100 people die.”

It’s not likely you are going to find 6 million people in Canada being exterminated and you are going to take them into your home at your own risk and help them

But what about the person at your school who doesn’t fit in...

Or the person at your work who is constantly being verbally abused...

What about the person who doesn’t have a friend to eat with at lunch...

What about the gossip circles...

Its everywhere, there are people everywhere in emotional holocausts. People exterminating because of race, religion, appearance, personality...

“I hope that you will treat others right
When you see someone being hurt by someone else, I hope you will help them.
You can choose to do something.
1 person can help 100 people
1 person can ignore it and 100 people die.”

Biblical Encouragements:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:18-21

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it." Ezra 10:4