I didn’t think I would be fearful of leaving the U.S. However, on my plane ride to Atlanta I realized that there are many things that I fear about the next 11 months.
- I fear my 40 lb. backpack. (Seriously, that thing is a monster).
- I fear the Zika Virus because, let’s be honest, that’s going to happen.
- I fear leaving my friends and family for 11 months. I fear the awesome relationships that I currently have with others changing.
- I fear how the Lord is going to shape me and mold me over the next year. I fear how he’s going to break me. I fear the poverty that He’s going to show me. I fear the feeling of helplessness—of falling in love with His children all over South America and having to leave them
I’m convinced that the whole world lives every day in fear. The media feeds off of it and our politicians exploit it. Some people look at our world today and convince themselves that God is dead. People focus on the bad things happening in the world instead of the King of Kings. We’re more concerned about following trends than we are about following the decree that Jesus laid out for all his followers.
It’s easy to focus on the world’s problems. By doing so, we live in fear.
On the news we see constant sorrow. We see people being persecuted for their backgrounds. We see families being broken apart. We see men, women and children being shot down in cold blood.
We see people all over the world being persecuted for their beliefs. We turn away refugees because we believe they could be involved in Radical Islam—forgetting that by turning these people away we’re breaking apart mothers from their children and fathers from their families.
We see arguments between political parties. We see words of extreme hatred being exchanged between candidates—leaving us defensive. We wonder if the country we’re living in is more concerned about pointing fingers and placing blame than it is focused on the overall prosperity of it’s people.
We see parents afraid to send their children to school. We see Christians afraid to go to church for fear that they could be attacked.
We forget that each and every one of these people are God’s children. We forget that all of us are created in His divine image.
Instead of focusing on Jesus, we focus on fear.
We focus on the “what could be” instead of “what is.”
Instead of looking to the Father for the answers, we point fingers at the system, each other, the media. “What could be” becomes a state that we constantly live in—wondering when something bad is going to happen next and when this whole mess is going to be fixed. “What could be” isn’t from heaven. It’s Satan telling us that this world is so messed up that it can never be fixed.
Let me tell you about “what is”
“What is” can be found in the bible—the only source of truth from the ruler of the universe. “What is” says this: perfect love casts our fear.
- “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
- “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
- “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made in perfect love.” 1 John 4:18
- “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The only thing that can extinguish fear is perfect love. The only source of perfect love is Jesus. I’m reminding myself of this truth every single day–I think the rest of the world could use this reminder too.
The fears and anxieties that I’m feeling are cast out by the perfect love of Jesus. It’s ok to be scared! It’s ok to wonder what in the heck I got myself into. You know why? Because I have Jesus & an awesome team of individuals to walk alongside and share this journey with.
I’ve been in Colombia for less than one week and I can already say that God is moving in mighty ways. I’m so excited to share my experiences with you all. Updates to follow.
XO,
Alex
