Courage

I am currently reading Peter Collier's Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty (Workman, 2006). It gives brief accounts of the different men who have won the Congressional Medal of Honor over the last century. Here is an official account of one citation that I shared with my students. What it does not tell you is that PFC. Lucas was 14 when he enlisted.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. Entered service at: Norfolk, Va. Born: 14 February 1928, Plymouth, N.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. While creeping through a treacherous, twisting ravine which ran in close proximity to a fluid and uncertain frontline on D-plus-1 day, Pfc. Lucas and 3 other men were suddenly ambushed by a hostile patrol which savagely attacked with rifle fire and grenades. Quick to act when the lives of the small group were endangered by 2 grenades which landed directly in front of them, Pfc. Lucas unhesitatingly hurled himself over his comrades upon 1 grenade and pulled the other under him, absorbing the whole blasting forces of the explosions in his own body in order to shield his companions from the concussion and murderous flying fragments. By his inspiring action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades from certain injury or possible death but also enabled them to rout the Japanese patrol and continue the advance. His exceptionally courageous initiative and loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Lucas and the U.S. Naval Service

Collier concludes his account noting that Lucas was faithful to the promise he made to his mother to return to high school. He entered his class in the fall, a freshman with a Congressional Medal of Honor around his neck.

One thing that has stood out to me while reading Collier's book is that for the most part these are just ordinary guys who acted in an extra-ordinary manner, namely with valor. It has prompted me to spend some time considering the nature of courage. At the most recent Desiring God Conference for Pastors, Crawford Loritts noted that courage is essentially choosing
to do the right thing, while not regarding the consequences to yourself. I like this definition. What this implies is that courage demands a clear understanding of one's responsibility. People are courageous when they know the right thing to do and then choose to do it. The soldier who charges every machine gun he sees for no purpose is foolishly stupid. Moreover, those who avoid danger because they accurately calculate the potential consequences should not be commended either. Soldiers prove their valor in knowing the right thing to do at the right time, and in faithfully following through with their conviction. Therefore, one could argue that courage is the result of proper training.

Here is how I tie this truth to practical ministry. A pastor's responsibility is to fully equip the saints for the work of ministry (Eph 4:12). This is accomplished in believers having an accurate and thorough understanding of the Word. Saints will be prepared to act courageously when they understand how to make the right choices. Most of the men who won the Medal of Honor never expected it, instead they acknowledge that they were simply doing their duty, reminiscent of Luke 17:10.