Steve Alessi: Author of Alessi’s Angle, Pastor of Metro Life Church in Miami, Husband of World Renown Worship Leader Mary Alessi and Father of Four. 
Today's blog is written by David Roman who returned from a weeks missions trip to Nicaragua with Metro Life Church's Project Love Team.
“Sometimes there is nothing more exciting than an opportunity, and sometimes there is nothing more frightening than an opportunity.” Every morning we wake, we have the great privilege of deciding how we will choose to view the different opportunities that cross our path. Honestly, I wish I could say opportunities never scared me but the truth is they can, and at times they do. I have a feeling I’m not the only one, and once we all come to the place where we look at the opportunities at hand and choose to get excited about them, we just might live a courageous life.
Living a courageous life does not mean we have to pick up a long sword, throw on our kilts, jump on horses and dash into battle. That epic act of valor is actually sometimes simpler to perform because it easier to understand. I think living a courageous life means we live out the opportunities we have as bravely as we possible can in spite of danger or criticism or threat. I think that’s one of the many lessons I learn from Jesus when it comes to serving.
For certain, Jesus’ death on the cross is perhaps the most epic, most courageous thing ever performed or witnessed but it is not the only example in the life of Christ. Hours before He heads to the cross, in John chapter 13, Jesus takes the opportunity of a dinner party to show what courage looks like. Against the back drop of deception & betrayal and the end of His life, the bible says that Jesus decides to wash His disciple’s feet. Jesus places Himself in the position of a servant by performing the job of a slave.
The obvious question is WHY? Jesus is willing to die for His friends (for all humanity) in a few short hours, why isn’t that enough? Peter is so totally wrecked by this act of service that he missed, and sometimes we miss, the point:
“The opportunity to show love does not always mean you have to die for someone else, sometimes it means you have to be willing to die to self.”
Jesus courageously chooses to humble himself not only to the danger of the cross but also to the danger of living a life filled with criticism and threat by choosing to become a servant. The opportunity to serve may not always seem glamorous or necessary but if a need presents itself how we respond, excitedly or scared, will determine the results we get.
Last week a group of young adults from Metro Life Church's Project Love, were given the chance to venture onto the mission field, die to self & serve in Nicaragua. We clothed many, served food to the hungry, used our construction skills to paint walls and repair electrical lines, and even had the chance to wash the feet of a community of elderly people who have been abandoned. At first we were a little scared of washing feet, but our fear was overshadowed by the excitement of bringing joy and peace to hurting lives. Thanks to the prayers and generosity of our Church family who had our backs, we were all a part of this life changing opportunity to serve.
And you too can have the courage to serve. At the end of July, our Project Love Team heads out again to Cuba, this time to support and encourage local ministers at a Pastors conference, construct and repair a church’s roof, and with the partnership of our CIC Network (Churches in Covenant, Dallas, TX) purchase an automobile for our dear, courageous friend, Pastor Faustino. He will soon be able to easily travel across the island to support other pastors and churches. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated and give us the courage to serve, for though you may not be able to go, you can courageously serve by praying and sowing.
I love the analogy of what being courageous doesn't have to be. :) I felt like I was in the Braveheart movie. Love it!
Thank you for illustrating that courage is not as complicated as we often make it out to be. Courage is what our Christ modeled and what I want to strive for.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this! My soul is encouraged by your actions and by the simple acceptance of the fact that there are times that it will take courage to serve. The courage to move beyond the need for everyone to understand, to be brave enough to serve is in itself a task. I will be praying for the Cuba trip, bless you all!