| Sorry about last week, folks …. Just didn’t have any “writing” in me. And don’t be surprised if it happens again in the upcoming future. We will be on vacation from the 13th to the 31st … and one never knows how the spirit will move … Or, as Jesus says, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3.8) Dictionary.com defines fear as “a powerful, unpleasant emotion caused by the anticipation or awareness of danger, often triggering an automatic fight-or-flight response, such as rapid heartbeat, adrenaline release, and trembling. It is the natural reaction to threats – whether real or imagined – and can range from mild caution to intense terror.” I generally make the “fight-or-flight” duo into a trio by adding “or-freeze”. If fear is a natural reaction, then the Easter morning angel speaks of unnatural things when he says to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead.” (Matthew 28.5) A couple verses later we see that the women are at least partially freed from their fear, for they neither fight, flee nor freeze, but rather “departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” (Matthew 28.8) Merriam-Webster’s first definition of shock is “a sudden or violent mental or emotional disturbance”. Among the synonyms listed I find “jolt, appall, and horrify”. What kind of things shock you these days? I return to Dictionary.com for the term terror: “An intense, overwhelming feeling of extreme fear, dread, or panic. It also refers to the use of violence or intimidation to coerce governments or populations. Common synonyms include panic, dread, and horror.” We live in a time, nation, and world that seems to be filled with fear, shock, and terror. I don’t think I need to list the things that are causing this, although it probably is important to note that not everyone is upset about the same things. We can even note that many people are upset that others are not upset about what upsets them. What I also note is that none of this brings out the best in any of us! Does anyone ever really win in a fight? As far as I know, no-one ever wishes to be frozen in life (though perhaps in death!). And fleeing generally just prolongs and expands the hurt. Love, on the other hand, “covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4.8) Another disciple of Jesus writes, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4.18) Of course, none of us are perfect, however we are the recipients of perfect love. “See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. … Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3.1-3) Now I don’t think John Lenon was intending to make a theological statement when (back in 1967) he wrote, “All You Need Is Love,” but he might have been. On the other hand, I do believe that Peter Scholtes did clearly have that intent when he wrote the song, “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” (c. 1960). Afterall, he was simply echoing Jesus’ words in the upper room (just after washing the disciples’ feet), “A new command I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13.34-35) A few minutes later, on the way to Gethsemane, Jesus made a wonderful promise to his disciples (of all ages – you and I included). He said, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” (John 15.26) It is that very Spirit who has given us the Holy Scriptures – the Word of Christ … which, as far as I can tell, is the only true antidote to fear, shock, and terror. What else could Jesus possibly mean when he says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8.31-32) And, I don’t know about you, but I’ll take freedom in Christ any day over fear, shock, or terror! |
