Matthew 14:22-33 - What makes you afraid?

Snakes? Water? Terrorism? Flying? Meeting new people? Speaking in public? Thunder and lightning? Driving? Computers? Darkness? Failure?

Yesterday we went to the mall. We had no objective at the mall, other than killing some time while waiting for Melody's brother to arrive at the bus station. Sometimes we'll go to the mall to shop, sometimes we'll go in order to eat at the food court, and sometimes we just walk the loop down all the hallways. Yesterday was one of those days.

It was a dreary Monday, and school is just around the corner, so the mall was crowded with parents and children doing back to school shopping. There was nothing unusual about our trip to the mall, until the Emergency Broadcast System alert started playing over the loudspeaker system. What was odd is that there was no announcement after the alert. There were no instructions, but neither was there a statement that it was only a test.

Then it happened again. And again. And again. I think that siren played over fifteen times while we were there.

Nobody panicked. Nobody started running to exits. In fact, I'm not sure many people noticed the siren. No, I wasn't paralyzed with fear...I'm not even sure I would say that I was afraid. And yet, I did have a picture in my mind's eye of what the mall would look like "if this had been an actual emergency." There would be people running for the nearest exit, not sure what they would find when they made it outside. There would be such a bottleneck at the exit that at least one person would be trampled. Children would be screaming, teenagers would wish that one of their parents were there to give them direction. In the midst of the mayhem, some stores would be looted--the bouncers at BestBuy would watch their doors closely, further slowing the flow of traffic out of the mall.

Despite all the activity and hubbub, there would be several people who simply dropped their packages, stood in the middle of the Garden Court, and froze in panic. Paralyzed by fear, they would be unable to move, not sure which way to go.

Often, I fear that the Church is paralyzed by fear. Far too often, our fear of failure drives us to inaction, preferring the comfort of our current routines over the risky dangers of new things. We like gathering for worship. Fellowship dinners and small groups are comfortable for us. Our routine becomes almost idolatrous. We place our personal preferences above that which is needed to reach non-Christians.

But Jesus speaks these words of comfort: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

The Kingdom of God is revealed through this statement. Jesus is with us. His constant presence gives us the ability to step outside of ourselves and our comfort zone. We should not be shackled by custom or routine, but be able to follow Jesus whereever He might lead. The new things which He has for us should not cause fear, but an opportunity to follow Christ into the great unknown.

It's not "With Jesus in the boat we can smile at the storm," but "If Jesus goes with me, I'll go anywhere!"

Frankly, I'm tired of "smiling at the storm" from the inside of the boat. I'd rather walk through the storm with Jesus at my side.

Grace and Peace,

PastorJon