“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…” – I John 4:18
I don’t know about many of you, but it is really easy to be scared these days. In a world where war is not just something happening between nations across the ocean but between neighbors down the street, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of hiding under the blanket with our headphones and books, blocking out the world. How do we live a life of love when all around us Wall Street crises threaten our financial security, the divorce rate is at least half the rate of those getting married in a given year, and over 67% of Americans in 2006 were unhappy in their job situation? These American statistics and events give a brief glimpse into many of the social issues plaguing our world. Living a life of love means living a life without fear, living a life fully dependent on God’s goodness and mercy, living with complete trust that God will provide and protect.
John’s letter continues to say that fear has to do with punishment, so one who fears is not perfect in love. John hits it right on the nose – we punish ourselves by being afraid. We paralyze ourselves, and don’t believe in our true goodness and our limitless potential. We do not trust that God can work miracles, move mountains, and do all manner of great things in and through us by his perfect love. But humans are flawed. We try to do so much on our own. We try to be the strong ones, the brave ones, the intelligent ones, and we try to do this all on our own. We do not understand that setting high expectations is good, but counting on ourselves alone to achieve them is only going to set us up for failure. By committing ourselves to follow in God’s footsteps, we will not fail. We will continually be working for his greater glory, whether there are setbacks or detours or a straight-arrow path!
I didn’t meant to get so philosophical. I am not the most up-to-date on current events, but I do come across questions and quotes like this that get me thinking about society and how people, especially young adults, live and think and interact. We’re all about questioning and searching – trying to identify our life’s ambition, trying to figure out what we want to do with our lives and where God fits in. If we weren’t seekers, we wouldn’t be God’s people, striving to live a life of love.
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 and is filed under GOD, Thoughts & Questions.
Responses are currently closed
Ann Says:
I very much welcome this female perspective on God and His goodness, Briana.
Not worrying, not being anxious, not being afraid may be regarded as uncaring, even callous attitudes to all that is happening in the world, when in fact it is the unwavering attitude of prayer and trust that is the true way to battle against evil and right the wrongs, for this is God’s way.
That is not to say we should not be active, or proactive – for this too is God’s way, but as you say we should never let ourselves be paralysed by fear that would lead to inaction, within and without.
October 4th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Matthew Says:
“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” – Philippians 4:13
The grace of God is what gives us the ability to persevere to the end in doing good and standing up to evil in all aspects of our lives, both personal and political.
“I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!” Luke 19:40
October 4th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Cait Says:
This is an excellent post,
It was just what I needed to inspire me and get me back to positive thinking
May 1st, 2009 at 5:08 am