There has has been a reoccurring theme in my conversations lately. It has taken me a while to recognize because its subtle and subversive, but once exposed there is no question of it's presence. I see it not just in others, but myself. What is "it"...fear. Not the fear provoked by a horror movie, novel or urban legend. I mean the fear that robs us of our truest self and causes us to either stop living or live from a self-created false self (which in some ways is worse). I'm speaking of the fear of failure, not measuring up, or losing someone you deeply love. The fear caused by the uncertainty of the future, or of getting to the end of life and realizing how much time was wasted on meaningless pursuits. The fear that who you are is some how not good enough and never will be.
So what is the remedy for this epidemic that binds so many hearts and keeps them from the fullness of life they long for? A very wise, older mentor pointed me to the answer. As usual...the answer answer lies not in abstract ideas, but in "story". Specifically the story of Moses.
By faith he [Moses] left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27
It's humbling and convicting to think of how much of life is lived out of fear not of God, but of everything else. Moses was not the poster child for leadership when God found him in the desert tending sheep. But as Moses participated in God's story, he was transformed. Ah...transformation...that's what I'm looking for. Things change in God's presence. Not knowledge about Him or even knowledge of Him, but living in His presence here and now..."seeing Him who is invisible". Seeing Him at work and joining Him, trusting Him. I don't know about you, but that transforming freedom is something I both long for for my self and to be a vessel of for others.
In Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture
5 Skills of Practicing the Presence of God
Seek God's Presence :: Guard Your Heart with Extreme Care to Retain Purity
- Discipline of Confession
- Discipline of Truth Telling
See God's Presence :: Keep the Soul's Gaze Fixed on God by Faith
- Discipline of Meditation
- Discipline of Lectio Divina
Speak in God's Presence :: Offer Short Prayers To God
- Discipline of Blessings
- The Jesus Prayer
Live in God's Presence :: Do For The Love of God
- Discipline of Compassion
- Discipline of Caring for the Earth
Treasure God's Presence :: Value the Presence of God More Than Anything
- Discipline of Worship
- Disciplines of Silence & Solitude
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.
1 John 4:18
...God is love.
1 John 4:8b
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