Faith Over Fear

Luke 21:5-38

When I was younger, the Left Behind series, especially the kid’s version, was a huge deal to me and my cousin Allison. Next to our other favorite series, Nancy Drew, we would wait for them to be released and read them in less than a day. I remember being so terrified on those nights after I would finish a book that my parents would need to console me with prayers and back rubs before being able to sleep. I had such a fear that I would be left behind and have to deal with all the horrifying things being portrayed in those books. I would ask Jesus every night to live in my heart just in case he didn’t hear me the first thousand times.

Honestly, reading this passage gave me a few not so great flashbacks, but unlike the terror of those books, seeing the words of Jesus telling me to not worry gave me a reassurance that that series never did. Jesus isn’t going to just leave us to deal with this world on our own. Yes he told us things will happen, and pretty terrifying things at that, but we have a Savior we can trust. He gave us words and wisdom to live by so we won’t succumb to our anxieties about it. Seeing the world as it is right now is pretty scary, but Jesus’ constant reminder to look to and follow him gives me a peace that doesn’t make sense in spite of it all.

I put my hope in Jesus, and I’m watching and waiting for his return as well as doing what I can do usher in the Kingdom of God here and now. Just like Jesus said, anxiety of the world will happen, but he’s got us. Not a hair on our head will perish if we stand firm in him. I fully believe he means what he said, and as my relationship with him grows stronger every day, I am convinced we have nothing to be concerned about if we pray and seek his face. He has already won, so we can be confident in his promises to us.

I thank God every day that he has taken away my fear of being “left behind” to deal with anything alone, and I pray that we as a church will be ready with joy for that wonderful day when Jesus comes to take us home.

-Shea