Courage In Action…

Courage In Action…7-11-25

We always talk about standing up for what we believe is the right thing to do. Very seldom do many of us have the courage when it means giving up a lifelong dream, a career, or walking away when we are at the pinnacle of our career. Often we accept what we don’t agree with in order to continue to do what we have worked so hard for. After all, if we don’t agree with what they say, do, or how some people act; can’t we just stay away from them, keep our mouth shut, or overlook it? Right?

Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”. We are called to do the right thing.

I met this young man at a Lavender Farm his parents own. He came back to work with them after an unexpected turn ended his career at its pinnacle. He built and operated the bakery on-site. He made the fresh flavored ice cream, scones, pies, lavender lemonade, and quiche.

There was an instrument in the corner, and my niece asked if he played, and would he play for us. He served our treats (my blueberry/raspberry ice cream and my niece’s honey vanilla ice cream) which were his creations. We sat in over stuffed chairs, and he then asked if it would be alright to play what he had been working on. Of course! He explained that he had taken a cello piece and configured this to the double bass. He quietly began to play.

I forgot my ice cream as we were immediately transformed to a private concert. The sounds of the deep base permeated the pitched roof of the small shop. As his fingers moved, the bow was an extension of his hand. The saying “time stood still” became a reality as the musician and instrument began to move as one. The music reached into the depths of my soul as I could feel the pain, joy, sadness, and every emotion in-between emanating from talent only given by our Creator. As the music finally ended, my niece and I stood, clapped, and rubbed our arms as goosebumps were tingling our skin.

I said to him, “Why are you here?” You see, this man moved back to work with his parents from Philadelphia. He played with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Considered one of the Big Five American Orchestras, this is considered indeed the pinnacle of a musicians success in America. It ended for him during the pandemic. When confronted with a mandatory vaccine, he chose to stand against taking the vaccine. He describes himself as a “Conservative Christian” who didn’t believe in the mandated vaccine, performing in Gay parades, and Transgender marches and events. He felt he should be allowed to make that choice. He shared with us that he will never again play with a major orchestra because he was black-listed. He said, “Now, I will play for you.”

1 Peter 5:9, “Resist him, standing firm in the faith,because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” This young man understood the cost of standing firm in his faith. I asked permission to use his picture and story. I see courage. I see a believer standing up for what is right and suffering the cost. But, I see victory. I don’t see pity and despair over these choices. We met his parents who run the farm. His dad is retired Army. His mother is kind and giving. He is a testament to their faith, his upbringing, and Courage. I shared with him my belief that his talents in all these areas mentioned above are God-given. I told him that I feel he has a great purpose, and God has a plan for him. I want to have Courage in Action like him.