GENE RONCONE

COURAGE TO BELIEVETens of millions of people have been slowly poisoned. Why? Thewells they are drinking from have been exposed to arsenic. A July 30,2005, article in the New York Times reported that over 10 million new wells have beendrilled in Bangladesh since the 1970s. With good intentions, aid organizations arepromoting groundwater as a safer alternative to polluted stream or pond water. Prolongedexposure has resulted in millions of people getting sick. Unaware of the contamination,the people are now suffering from weakened immune systems, increases incancer, and damage to the brain and nervous system. Tragically, 3,000 deaths a yearhave resulted from Bangladesh’s deadly wels.Fear is a lot like that. It slowly contaminates the wells of enthusiasm, courage, andfaith. In Chapters 2 and 3, we examined how David led the people in building thetemple and leaving a legacy to the next generation. If we are to be successful in ourown Season for Legacy, we must give the next generation a VISION TO CONCEIVE(1 Chronicles 28:1-10) and a STRATEGY TO PERCEIVE (1 Chronicles 28:11-19).That is why immediately after giving them a vision to conceive and a strategy toperceive, David gives them COURAGE TO BELIEVE (1 Chronicles 28:20-21). Davidwas a realist. He knew that even grand visions with a divine source and a detailedstrategy would have to overcome many obstacles. Knowing the greatness of the taskwould lend itself to discouragement, David called the people to protect the wells ofcourage.David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not beafraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsakeyou until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. The divisionsof the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and everywilling man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the peoplewill obey your every command” (1 Chronicles 28:20-21).These powerful words speak to us in the face of our own relocation effort. Buthow are we to have courage? Is it a naive denial of obvious obstacles? Is courage nothingmore than a careles walk through a mine field in the name of God? In David’scharge to his own people, we find four powerful wells of courage. We must decide ourdestiny, face our fears, learn to lean upon God, and plan to participate in the effort.DECIDE OUR DESTINYDavid uses powerful words to ignite courage. They are not action words as muchas they are words reflecting a mental resolve:39