Courage vs. Fear

My wife and I just returned from a trip to the Christiansburg, VA area. Since Blacksburg, VA is just a few miles from Christiansburg, we decided to visit Virginia Tech and pay our respects to the 32 innocents that lost their lives at the hands of a deranged young man.

Our visit to the temporary memorial, set up to honor the victims in front of Burrus Hall, was very moving. In spite of the number of people around the memorial, the mood was quiet and respectful; a fitting tribute to those given no respect by their assailant.

Especially moving was the small memorial to Professor Liviu Librescu. As I reflected on the selflessness of this courageous man, I was reminded that courage is not the absence of fear, but the realization that something is more important than the fear.

Professor Librescu was a teacher in the truest sense of the word. His respect for the life of his students cost him his own. Such a lesson must not be lost on our culture.

Rick Warren, in his bestselling A Purpose Driven Life pointedly reminds us that our existence is not about us. Dr. Librescu embodied this axiom. He was indeed a DifferenceMaker. Sadly he lost his life doing so, but let us not lose his lesson.

We honor those who lost their lives at the Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. May we never forget the lessons this horrific event provides.