Be Not Afraid
A post from Louise Brooks:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
(John 14:27 ESV)
The power went out at our house the other night. ZAP! A blink and we were done. Add to that limb after limb crashing down in our yard and on our roof. CRACK! THUD! My first response was fear. Yup. Me. A grown woman. Fear. I wandered around the house gathering candles and matches and dim flashlights, all the while singing a preschool Bible memory verse song to myself – “Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. Your prayer has been heard. Your prayer has been heard. Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. Luke 1:13. Luke 1:13.” (Sing it to the tune of “Frere Jacques.”) It gave me peace and comfort to sing that silly song. I knew that even though there was darkness all around me, I was still plugged in to the One who keeps me safe. Jesus. The One who brings me peace. The One who “give[s] light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78) The One who rescues. Are you plugged in?
January 28, 2011 @ 5:52 pm
I have always loved the verse in 1 John that says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” That is an awesome recognition of an awesome love from a God who knows what is best. I want to get there and rest in that.
January 28, 2011 @ 8:24 pm
Isn’t it wonderful that the ‘opposite’ to fear is peace? Not us being brave … or courageous … or fighting … or …. but stepping into God’s lit space and finding peace. Thanks Louise, such a good reminder!