Ahead of us lies the great unknown. Another 365 days of ... what?
Sometimes the steady stream of What-ifs seems like too much, doesn't it? We want to hunker down and wait for it to blow over.
Our friend "Jim" found out dogs can feel that way, too.
During his growing-up years he loved to roam the California hills. One blue-sky Saturday he set off to go exploring. His faithful sidekick "Marley" tagged along at his heels.
As they came over one hill Jim heard a high-pitched, unfamiliar drone. Marley heard it, too.
The usually fearless German Shepherd crouched on the grass and refused to budge. No amount of coaxing or scolding could get him moving.
At last Jim gave up. The teenager picked up Marley and staggered over the next hill, where the noise barely registered.
Only then would Marley resume walking on his own.
You and I may wish we could do what Marley did
If only we could refuse to budge.
We can't, of course, because we have responsibilities and people who need us. Need us to be strong, even when we're quaking with fear inside.
We survived 2020. Yay! But here we are, still living under restrictions, wearing masks and washing our hands. Still wondering what comes next--and when.
Frankly, we are tired of this routine. We want to get past it and go on.
And fear lurks everywhere because we don't know what comes next.
But here's the thing: We never did. Neither did countless generations before us.
Like them, we must take one step at a time, one day at a time, fully aware we cannot make it on our own.
Like them, we're never left to get through all this on our own strength:
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,' declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 41:13-14
Surprises along the way are guaranteed
We know by experience we won't like some of them. No matter. We need to keep walking if we're to get through our days.
This calls for courage--and where do we get a dose of that?
For starters, look back to one dark night outside Bethlehem.
The shepherds out on the hills outside Bethlehem were just living their usual lives, watching out for their sheep. Then one night, suddenly angels filled the skies, singing praises to God. The glory of the Lord shone around them and lit up the darkness with dazzling light.
The shepherds fell to their knees. Fearful. What could it mean?
The angel's words to those humble men apply just as much to you and me today:
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today . . . a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (from Luke 2)
Fear and apprehension can turn to laughter, even in the night
Once they heard and saw the angels the shepherds were filled with joy and rushed off to Bethlehem to see for themselves the Baby in the manger. They abandoned their sheep because their desire to see the Baby Jesus crowded out every other thought.
What if you and I had the same single-minded yearning to see and know Jesus?
Would it change the way we look at our lives and what we consider important? Would we leave fear behind?
"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
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Where is the darkness in your life?
Every one of us has some sort of "darkness"--difficulty and struggle--in our life. We know by experience that times of calm usually don't last, that danger lurks just off the scene.
Life is uncertain. All it takes is one false step. One drunk driver. One bad report from the doctor and our life could turn from happy to sad in an instant.
So then how shall we cope with the uncertainty of being alive?
The same as all the Christians who went before us, living one day after another, trusting God every step of the way.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Let's leave the shadows behind
Because we know the Source of joy, we can live fearlessly. Joyously.
The Bible tells us how.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
We can't know what lies ahead, but we can know God is faithful and His promises are true
Marley had an owner who loved him enough to carry him past what troubled him.
We have so much more. We have Almighty God, our loving Father, who promises to never leave us alone and to strengthen us and carry us through whatever comes.
It is enough.
Count on it and be at peace,
Lenore
