An article written by my father, the Rev. C. Thomas Paige, as it appeared in the Tri-State Defender on the date shown.
In the final analysis, life is a matter of courage. It takes courage to live and live successfully. The very core of living life at its best is wrapped up in the amount of courage one puts into it. One of the most tragic things in our world today is wrapped up in the lack of courage on the part of most people. Many people today are living in houses owned by others because they lack the courage to venture out and assume the responsibilities connected with buying a home. Many people are not educated today because they lack what it takes to go out and get an education. Many people are deprived of the essential things in life because they lack the courage to obtain these things.
Many people are living on a low level of life because they lack the courage to recognize what is right and do that. Our world today needs men who have come to grips with those things that are holy, those things that are right, those things that are honorable, and pay the price for doing them. In spite of the adversities of life, one must have the courage to face up to it. We can’t get very far leaving out this important element of courage.
EATING THE MEAT
Decades ago, one of the outstanding characters of the Bible purposed in his heart that he would not eat the king’s meat. In our day and time, there are far too many of us who will eat anybody’s meat if it means getting where we want to go.
Moses of biblical days refused to identify himself with the Egyptians when such identity would have made life for him much easier, but he realized God had a mission for him. Today we need men and women who have the courage to go against the grain sometimes. We must not concern ourselves with doing what is popular; rather, doing what is right. I know that, in many instances, this requires courage, but that is what we need today.
I wonder if many of us have ever stopped to think what this world would be today if everyone had been satisfied to go along with the status quo. We have been blessed with some people along the way who would rather be different and I would like to say thank God for them.
If the Wright brothers had satisfied themselves with riding on the ground we would not have fast-flying jets today. If Louis Pasteur had satisfied himself with medical patterns of his day we would not have toxins for the various diseases that have taken thousands and thousands of lives. If Dr. Drew had satisfied himself with the prevailing practice of his day as far as medicine is concerned we would know nothing about the popular blood transfusions of today. We could go on and make a long list of men and women who took courage, and the world has benefitted greatly by their having taken courage. But the world is in a bad shape today. Those who will take courage find their ranks getting thinner and thinner.
COURAGE NEEDED
Our world stand on the very threshold where men of conviction and courage are needed in all walks of life. Far too many of our people who are in important positions satisfy themselves with acting like crayfish – constantly backing up. Whenever important issues arise you may always rest assured that somewhere in the background you will find them.
Years ago, one of the popular hymns of my church was “I’m On The Battlefield For My Lord.” Today we need people who are on the battlefield for all that is high and holy, all that is right and virtuous, irrespective of the cots. No longer can we satisfy ourselves with living on the sidelines or the backlines. We need people today who are willing to take the bull by the horns and move on to higher and nobler heights.
We need men of the courage of a Daniel, the three Hebrew boys, a Paul, a Peter or a John on the Isle of Patmus. We must forget ourselves and align ourselves with a cause that is bigger and more worthwhile than ourselves. Then, and only then, will life serve the noble purpose for which it was designed.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 