Courage is a that characteristic that makes heroes out of ordinary people.  It is the willingness to put one’s life on the line for something valuable, something ultimate.  Driven by the belief that human beings are of ultimate value, courage is the willingness to put oneself in danger to save someone who is in danger of perishing.  Courage can be passive, in the sense that a person will respond courageously if faced with a situation that is thrust upon them.  If one is walking by a river and sees someone drowning, courage is aroused as they jump in to save them.  I call this passive courage because, the person was not looking for a situation in which to be courageous in, but rather responded courageously to something that came upon them. 

Active courage, on the other hand is that courage that seeks out opportunities to express itself.   It is actively seeking out and going into a dangerous situation driven by a belief in a cause that is worth risking one’s life for.

In wartime, many are forced into situations of passive courage.  They are being attacked and must respond.  But some, go actively looking for the enemy and take the initiative to go on the offensive, thus putting themselves in danger for the cause  for which they are fighting.  Billy Bishop was one such person.  A Canadian air ace in the first world war, Bishop would get up early in the morning and go “hunting” for enemy planes.  He even led a single handed attack on an enemy airfield.  Profusely decorated, Bishop became an inspiration to a generation of Canadians and was instrumental in founding the Canadian Air Force.  Bishop possessed active courage.

In the Christian life, active courage is that characteristic that compels us to go out of our comfort zone and put ourselves on the line for something that we believe in, something of great value.   It compels us to actively seek out situations in which to share our faith and not sit back in comfort.   It compels us to follow Jesus, who actively set His face toward Jerusalem, knowing what awaited Him on that final passover.  Courage is laying down our lives so that others might be saved.  Active courage distinguishes heroes of the faith from those who shrink back in comfort.

We desperately need active courage today.  What can you do to step into a dangerous situation and make a difference?