What Would It Look Like If…
“We embraced the Unknown?”
I’ve known fear. I’ve created fear. I’ve been controlled by fear.
For as long as I have followed after Christ, I have been challenged to face my fear; fear of rejection. It stems from fearing the “what ifs”, fearing the unknown. It has kept me from doing many things I have been called of Christ to do. It has kept others from receiving what they need to receive.
I was challenged today. And I am sad to say that I failed.
I sat by an elderly lady on the bus. She was precious. By the looks of it, she was Muslim. She had the sweetest smile. I noticed her arm was in a soft cast. She held it close as if she was in pain. The Lord prompted me to pray for her.
I didn’t know where to begin. There were so many people around. What if someone saw? She was Chinese. What if she didn’t speak English? I am awful at charades. What if I make her feel uncomfortable? After all, it was a 5 hour bus ride. That’s a long time to sit in awkward silence.
I let my opportunity pass. Sure, her injury wasn’t life-threatening, but I missed a chance to introduce her to Jesus Christ. I learned something so valuable. The importance of conquering fear is not for me. Sure, Christ doesn’t want us to be fearful, but embracing the unknown, over-coming allows us to be free so we are effective for His kingdom.
It truly seems like the simplest of realizations. But how many of us operate in that? How many times do we feel prompted to speak a word, say a prayer or just connect with someone, and we don’t?
People need what we as believers have; the knowledge of Christ. We experience fear because it keeps us from fulfilling His calling.
But what if we embraced the unknown? How many lives could be touched? How many people would be changed?
