by Dan Miller, SAFL Program Advisor & SAFL-Milwaukee, WI Program Director
Verse(s): “But he said to them, ‘It is I. Do not be afraid.’” — John 6:20
Reflection: Fear and courage. “Do not be afraid” is Jesus’ response to anyone who is in fear – EVERY TIME!
The word afraid appears in the Bible 152 times – and fear appears 613 times! Fear is a human emotion that can paralyze us – if we let it. Generally, there are two responses to fear – defend or flee. Christ shows us how to overcome fear with faith.
If one has faith, you can pray for the gift of courage – also known as fortitude. Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear — even fear of death — and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause.
Anyone who is – or may be thinking about becoming a sidewalk counselor — will have to face their fears.
No one is exempt from fear – not even me. I’m 6’7” and weigh in at about an eighth of a ton – but I had plenty of fears before I became a sidewalk counselor. I had many temptations and obstacles to overcome initially and along the way.
“No, Lord – not me! I’m not cut out for this!”
“No, Lord – it’s too cold out!”
“No, Lord – my knee hurts today!”
“No, Lord – I rolled my car – haven’t I given enough?”
“No, Lord – now me AND my wife are out of work!”
But if you but have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will move mountains (cf: Matthew 17:20).
Abortion – at times – seems like a mountain that will not move. It is huge and vast. Moving the mountain of abortion may seem like being given the task of scrubbing the floors of the Taj Mahal – with a toothbrush.
What Jesus didn’t tell our team at the start of our pro-life work was that we would move that mountains – but He gave us a spoon! Our sidewalk counselors were able to move that mountain a loving spoonful at a time! All of it was done with prayer and a firm faith in Christ — and sidewalk counseling is that spoon!
Faith Challenge: Let your excuses – your no’s – turn into a YES to God!
Take that mustard seed and water it!
Go find your spoon and get digging!
Go now in pairs to all ends of the earth – and preach the Gospel of Life at these unholy places!
Be courageous, knowing Christ is with you!
You may be the only Bible they ever read!
You may be the only church they ever attend!
Go NOW!
Lives and souls are hanging in the balance – TODAY!
Tomorrow hasn’t arrived – and yesterday is gone!
Go – TODAY!