Coward of the County

I had four records growing up I loved or at least I loved a song on them. I had the Elvis record for children with a song about a dog that always made me cry. I had Goofy Gold with Purple People Eater that always made me laugh. There was the Country Bear Jamboree where my favorite was Blood on the Saddle sung by Big Al (Uncle Bill's nickname for me to this day). 


Blood on the Saddle
Blood all around
There's even a puddle 
Of Blood on the ground

That song just made me weird. Who carries around an ugly bear and sings this demented song as a child? Probably the same one who dressed up like Paul Bunyan.

Then there was Kenny Rogers and Coward of the County. That song confused me, but I loved it. 

I still feel confused at times by how we define courage and cowardice. Not to disagree with Kenny, but I don't think the difference is merely whether you're willing to fight or not. I still think force is the least creative way to solve a problem. It may be the easiest tool to use, but rarely is it the most effective in the long run.

So, what is the difference between cowardice and courage? 

Courage. The call for courage in the Bible is almost as common as the call to love. Unfortunately, I don't think many folks look to churches as places of great courage. 

What is courage? 
Courage comes from the word for heart. 

Courage is doing the "heart" thing when it is inconvenient, costly, awkward, or painful. Locating courage in the heart is different than doing the right thing. Breaking the law or social norm may not be the "right" thing to do, but it may be the gracious and loving thing to do.

Courage is stepping out of what is comfortable to risk something. 

I think people of courage need to have great curiosity and humility. Courage demands a sense of entering mystery. People can do risky things and it is just controlled cowardice with experiences and adrenalin rushes that maintain the status quo.You can be a coward who engages in risky behaviors if they don't break open your heart.

You see I don't think cowardice means backing down from a fight or refusing to take a stand. I've seen plenty of cowards stand tall parroting the latest propaganda proudly. 

Cowardice is insulating your heart to protect it from pain or discomfort. 

It demands lies and deceit to yourself and others. A structure has to be put in place where comfort and ease are the goals. Lots of lies have to be told to keep things easy, evade consequences and maintain a facade of calm. 

Cowardice demands triviality. I still think of Ed Loring at Open Door Community in Atlanta saying, "God's judgment on the rich is filling our time with meaningless decisions." Shop till you drop. When we keep our interactions shallow and our lives busy, then cowardice comes naturally. Courage takes work, investment and time.

Whenever a culture is shaped by consumerism and militarism, then cowardice is a natural by-product fostered especially by media. Our dominant culture is based on accumulating and protecting our stuff. That is not a culture that fosters courage. 

I threaten sometimes to celebrate communion on the roof of the church dangling over the side holding each other up. If we aren't learning and practicing how to face fear and support one another, then how will we be able to do it in crisis?

If the church isn't fostering a counter-culture of courage, then I don't know why we exist. If a church is in survival mode, then it might be more faithful to die.

I know I sound like a self-righteous brat talking about cowards, but it is only because I see myself and too many faith communities bowing to fear and comfort.  I'm not sure how to break out of it and truly be a person and community of courage. 

I'm scared that someday we'll all end up looking like Kenny. Slathering on a bit more plastic, tucking a few more wrinkles to pretend we can insulate ourselves from the pain and death in this world. I'd rather have a broken heart than a plastic face. God bless him though; I still love that song.