Fear Not

“Jesus Tells Us to Be Brave”

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Our area has been captivated recently by the story of Peyton, an eight-year-old girl, who went out to compete alone in a cheerleading competition, because the rest of her team didn’t show up. I watched her performance and the interview with her, while she was sitting on her mom’s lap and was touched by her final statement, “Jesus tells us to be brave.” Many of us who are older Christians need to follow that advice. When I was a teenager, I remember my grandmother telling me, “Old age isn’t for sissies!” and I used to think it was cute or sweet, but now I know the truth. Growing older sometimes leaves us in positions where we feel just like Peyton. The family we grew up with, some of our neighbors and close friends are gone. The world we once knew has changed forever and we feel very – very alone. That is when I turn to one of my go-to verses, like Psalm 34 –

I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 ESV

That is when we need to remember that Jesus tells us to be brave. We are never alone. He hears us. He is with us. He promises to walk with us through the competition and to deliver us from ALL our fears. So whatever you are facing today, bring it to the Lord Jesus. Surely no one understands better than He what it means to be alone, misunderstood or abandoned. He loves us and has allowed us to face these things alone so that we can discover that He can deliver us and bring us through…. P.S. Peyton won first place!

See Peyton perform here

Welcome Home

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Even though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 ESV

During times of crisis, it is natural to be fearful. Our airwaves are filled with the constant reports of sickness, quarantines and businesses shutting down. There has never been anything like this in our lifetimes and we wonder what trouble still lies ahead; and not just for ourselves but for our children and grandchildren. But in the valley of the shadow of death we have a hope that is greater than any disease, and stronger than any hardship. We have the presence of the good shepherd; Jesus Christ; who gave His life for us.

Outside of the city where I was born there was a long valley called Sugar Hollow. It was a notch between the hills through which the main road from the South ran into the city. One interesting thing about Sugar Hollow was that as you drove into it at evening rush hour, darkness fell early. Everyone began to flick on their headlights as the shadows of the surrounding hills blocked out the sun. In the Hollow it looked as if night had fallen; but when you rounded the final bend that led out of the valley, the shadows drew back and the sun reappeared as if saying “I left the light on for you, welcome home!” 

Prayer: When fears are all around us like a deep valley help us remember Lord that You are always with us. Remind us that we can trust You to lead us through this valley and all the way home!

A Turtle’s Eye View

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But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”    Matthew 14:30 ESV

I never thought there was much connection between turtles and storms until the day I met a snapping turtle in the middle of the dirt road near the farm pond. He (or she) was plodding slowly across and being curious I went to get a closer look. At first the turtle stopped and pulled into his shell and closed his eyes. I’m not sure if he thought I might miss him sitting there in the middle of the road but as I came closer he changed tactics. He stretched out his neck stood up on his feet and opened his powerful beak ready to bite. Though I meant him no harm I’m sure that from his turtle’s eye view I looked like a giant intent on making him into turtle soup!

animal turtle tortoise depth of field

Photo by daniyal ghanavati on Pexels.com

All of us are afraid sometimes. Like the turtle on the road or Peter trying to walk on water; we are afraid of what might happen next.  That defensiveness even creeps into our relationship with God. Rather than trusting that His control over life’s the circumstances we view them as a threat and try to hide in our own shell. At other times when we even snap at God or the people around us who are just trying to help.

The good news is that when we are afraid and cry for help Jesus reaches down and catches us just as He did for Peter. God hears our cries and comes to our rescue. He has no plans to make us into soup; instead He pulls us up to walk on water with him all the way back to the boat!