Be not afraid

Luke 12:32-40

The encouraging words, “Be not afraid,” “Have no fear,” and “Don’t worry” occur regularly in Scripture. Unfortunately for the wimpy among us, these words always challenge us to go beyond our limits, beyond whatever we thought we could or wanted to do.

They are said as the Israelites face battles, as prophets face angry kings, and as God’s people are called to follow where God leads them. In Luke, these words are said by angels to Zechariah and to Mary, and in Matthew, an angel says them to Joseph. “Don’t be afraid. God has something for you to do, and will not leave you alone. This is going to be really good!”

In today’s gospel text, Jesus begins by telling the disciples, “Have no fear… It is God’s delight to give you the kingdom, so you experience God’s reign in your lives.” Jesus doesn’t say, “Don’t be afraid. I’m in charge, so go get some rest.” Instead, Jesus means, “Don’t be afraid. Come follow me and we’ll work together to bring God’s reign into all of creation.”

We are not sent to fix the whole world. It’s our job only to do what God calls us to do in our little corner of the world. And we do not do our job alone. God works with us and through us to make more than we dreamed possible happen.

About 4000 years ago, God called Abram & Sarai – later called Abraham and Sarah – to leave home. God promised them land and offspring, but didn’t give them any details about how that would happen. God simply said, “Go. When you get where I want you to be, I’ll let you know. And I’ll give you lots of children.” So, they left home and traveled west. At some point, God said, this is the land I promised you.”

But, years and years went by, and there were still no children. Abram and Sarai were old when they left home, they were even older once they reached the promised land, and still childless. They complain to God, and God answers, “Don’t be afraid. Wait a little more. My promise is still good, and I haven’t forgotten you. You will have more descendents than there are stars in the sky.” After waiting 25 years for the children God promised, they finally had a child, Isaac, who had 2 sons Esau and Jacob, and each of those boys had many children. “Do not be afraid; it is God’s delight to give you the kingdom.”

… In the gospel text for today, these two statements: “Do not be afraid; it is God’s delight to give you the kingdom.” And “Sell all you have, and give it away,” sure seem like contradictions. We wonder, “How can giving away everything we have bring us joy? Don’t we need what we have to live, to enjoy life?” 

But Jesus knows that when we focus our attention and time on getting and maintaining possessions and money, it draws us away from focusing our attention on God. It also encourages us to be less reliant on God’s provide-ance of those things we really need. We begin to believe we got it ourselves, and didn’t need God’s help to get it. If we have less stuff, we won’t be afraid that someone will take it away.

“Do not be afraid; it is God’s delight to give you the kingdom.” People who are really poor hear these words very differently than those of us with plenty do. They hear words of promise that they and their children will have enough to eat, clothes and shoes to wear, school supplies, and a home to live in. If we give away much of what we have, we give it to those who have less than we do, and through us, God provides for them.

… There’s a new show on TV, called Breakthrough with Tony Robbins. Robbins is a motivational speaker, whose reality show takes people who are struggling and helps them find a new outlook on life and success. This past week the story was about Ron & Marie Stegner. Ron’s business was failing, they were on the brink of foreclosure on their home, and their marriage was a disaster.

As TV cameras rolled, we watched as Ron, in his own state of despair, failed to respect Marie, and ridiculed the income she thought she could bring in as a tiny percentage of his, and so she might as well not bother.

Tony’s work with the couple begins with the idea that when you face up to your fears, life’s challenges are not as hard as they seem. Tony’s team develops new, tougher challenges to help put the regular challenges in perspective.

The main fear Ron and Marie had to face was being homeless, so they were sent to live for a week in a homeless shelter. There was an additional hitch: if they didn’t learn what they were sent there to learn, they would have to spend another week in the shelter. Marie started the week with a flat refusal to participate. “I’m not going. I won’t do this!”

Suddenly, Ron became her protector instead of her critic, and he encouraged her to go with him, and found ways for them to be involved in the homeless community. Homeless folks in the shelter adopted them, and showed them how to survive.

Ron and Marie began to rediscover their love and respect for each other and came out of the experience with a stronger relationship. Even if they end up losing their home, they have learned that life is not about how much you have, but about the relationships you have with others and with each other. In terms of family, they have been given the kingdom.

… What, do you suppose, God has for us to learn? In how many ways is God saying to us, “Do not be afraid; it is God’s delight to give you the kingdom.” Here’s what I see. As a congregation, God is calling us to communicate better with each other. As a congregation, God is calling us to do ministry with and for the people in our community. As a congregation, God is calling us to not be afraid, but to go where we are sent, and trust that we do not go alone.

Signs of that call and God’s promise can be found in the spirit of a congregation. I don’t know about you, but I sense a healthier atmosphere at Hope lately. We have proved we can do VBS on a shoestring, when we work together. People are coming to visit during worship, and some are coming to join. A couple of families in real need have asked for help, and received it through the generosity of our members. Folks are participating in social programs, and volunteering to take leadership roles. Ted and Diane have enrolled in the Deacon training program, to be more intentionally involved in the ministries of Hope. And two financial bequests, one from Bea Rossi and another from Irma Reichenbaugh, will help us through financially tough times. The money they have left us will be used for non-budgeted expenses.

How is God calling you as individuals? Is God calling you to teach Sunday School? Is God calling you to serve on the congregation council, or lead a committee? Is God calling you to dig deeper into your pockets than you thought was possible? Is God calling you to visit the homebound and hospitalized members? Is God calling you to share your faith with someone? Is God calling you to invite a particular person to an event at Hope? How is God calling you to use your God-given gifts?

Whatever God is saying to you, God says it with this promise: “Do not be afraid; it is my delight to give you the kingdom.” We are not called to follow and left to our own devices. God goes with us wherever we go, and whatever we are doing.

Please pray with me. (This prayer is traditional, and taken from the service of morning prayer.) O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen