Fearless

This evening, I went to the quirky little coffee shop right on the edge of campus to finish up some homework. As I made the short walk back to my dorm, alone in the dark, my pulse quickened, my breathing sped up, and I had the biggest urge to check over my shoulder every few steps. What am I so afraid of?! I thought. This is something I've struggled with since starting school. My classmates and I are warned against wandering too far off campus. We are advised, over and over again, against walking around in the dark. We are told, though not in so many words, don't leave campus, don't talk to non-students, don't engage the community around the university. I don't think this is the intention of the administration, but the message we get is that there is one day per semester that it is "safe" to show the love of Jesus to the community. We are deceived into thinking that stepping out of our comfort zone once or twice a year is enough. We think,  Okay, that's done. Now I can go back to acting like these people don't exist.

As I crossed the street back into the safe little bubble of campus, the Holy Spirit made it very clear that this fearfulness and timidity is not what He has for me. This fear of the world we've been fed is a lie, straight from the mouth of Satan. Here's the truth:

When we use the phrase get out of your comfort zone, it implies that leaving our safe little bubble is temporary. This really is how we treat the world around us. We make time to go out and engage the culture, plan specific days or weeks to show Jesus' love and mercy to the needy and the oppressed, but eventually, we come back and continue to live a life of ignoring the darkness. We live like this because many of us have been taught our whole lives to be fearful. I don't think this is intentional, and there is a legitimate need for us to be cautious in potentially risky situations, but the result is a church that is enslaved by fear.

The Bible makes it very clear that we are not to live like this. Isaiah 41: 10 says, "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 41:13 says, "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." Lamentations 3:57 says, "You came near when I called you, and you said, 'Do not fear.'" Isaiah 44:8 says, "Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one." Matthew 10: 26 says, "“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." Luke 12:4 says, "'I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.'" Luke 13:32 says, "'Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.'" John 14:27 says, "'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.'" As followers of Christ, children of God, and vessels of the Holy Spirit, we are commanded not to fear. Fearlessness is part of holy living. Choosing to remain in bondage to fear is wrong. In fact, it's sinful. According to 2 Timothy 1:7, "the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." So why do we continue to live as though this isn't true? Is it because we doubt ourselves, or is it because we doubt God?

When we really come to terms with this call to fearless living, we are faced with a choice. Either we can continue to ignore the power of the Holy Spirit which we have been given, or we can embrace it. Either we can continue to get out of our comfort zone, or we can abandon our comfort zone, set it on fire, and never look back.

This summer, I will be spending five weeks in Belize for a missions internship. To be completely honest, I'm afraid. But I know what is required of me. I have received the power of the Holy Spirit. I cannot, will not, continue to live in fear of the darkness. I have been given the light of the Truth, and now I must carry it into the dark places. God has promised to be with me in every moment. As the LORD prepares me to serve Him this summer, it is my prayer that I will be given opportunities to practice fearlessness daily. It's time for me to light the match and set my comfort zone ablaze.