No Fear

Two Sundays ago, our Adult Bible Fellowship (I still don't know why we can't call it Sunday School anymore) talked about fear. The context was fear in our relationships and our discussion groups came up with about a dozen passages from the Bible that deal with the topic. Given all the uncertainty in our lives nowadays, I thought it might be good to spend some time reviewing the verses this morning.

Several Scripture passages did jump out at me . . . Romans 8:28 . . . James 1:2-8 . . . but it was Isaiah 41:9-10 that connected the most with me today. The message may have been intended for Israel but the words fit our situation: "I have called you back from the ends of the earth so you can serve me. For I have chosen you and will not throw you away." That last phrase really hit me . . . God will not throw us away. He's pulled us 2000 miles from Oregon to the Midwest and He still has a plan to use us to serve Him somehow.

We haven't dealt much with fear so far in this time of being unemployed. Our needs are being met and there are signs that this stage will pass soon, so we haven't yet felt the stress that could be heavy on us. But I imagine that there are days ahead that will be very stressful or cause us to be afraid, either because of choices we must make or because we don't have choices. I trust that we'll remember that God causes all things to work together for good for those who seek to fulfill His purpose. I may end up working on a secular campus again, which would be great, or in sales or in a Christian college again. It doesn't really matter. We'll do our best to wait patiently and be courageous (Psalm 27).