Courage and the Tooth

            Rick Ezell tells a story of a woman and her husband who interrupted a vacation to see a dentist. “I want a tooth pulled, and I don't want Novocain because I'm in a big hurry,” the wife said. “Just extract the tooth as quickly as possible, and we will be on our way.”

            The dentist was very impressed. “You're certainly a courageous woman,” he said. “Which tooth is it?”

            The wife turned her husband and said, “Show him your tooth, dear.”

            It is easy to be courageous when it comes to another person’s tooth. It is much more difficult when it is one’s own.

            God never calls us to be courageous vicariously. Courage, for God, is always personal.

            “Be strong and courageous…” (Josh. 1:6a.)