Fear Not!

Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil comes out his burrow; if he is frightened by his shadow we are in for more winter, if he is not, then spring is coming. This day has me thinking about fear, and how we are like that rodential harbinger of springtime. It seems to me that much of our life is dominated by fear in one way or another. So much so that, as we run from place to place seeking safety and security, we seem to even be scared of our own shadows.

There is everyday worry and anxiety. Will we make enough this month to pay the house note? Will my boss be impressed with my work? Will I be able to get that project done one time? Every day, there a thousand and one little doubts that fill our hearts and minds with worry.

Then there are the big things of life. Fear of abandonment and loneliness. Fear of rejection. Fear of death. Fear of the loss of loved ones. We may not consciously think about these as often - but they loom large in our lives nonetheless.

Between the little worries and the big fears, how much of our lives are devoted to our fears? How much of our time and energy is spent on fear and worry? And how much are we able to really be attentive to the people in our lives and to our faith while the background music of fear is running through our minds?

The question I have is this: What does fear have to do with faith?

Certainly, there is a certain expression of Christianity that I would call a religion of fear. You know the type. "You could die at any moment - are you right with God". Religion that uses fear of hell, fear of damnation as the primary motivating factor. "Or else" religion. Of course, it does not have to be that overt, I think this religion of fear creeps into faith in lots of different ways. Do you rightly understand the sacrament? Do you have enough faith, or strong enough faith? Do you rightly understand the creed? And on and on.

So what has fear to do with faith?

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When dealing with the fears of life, I conclude that fear and worry are a first commandment issue. Luther says of the first commandment:

A "god" is the term for that to which we are to look for all good and in which we are to find refuge in all need. Therefore, to have a god is nothing else than to trust and believe in that one with your whole heart ... The intention of this commandment, therefore, is to require true faith and confidence of the heart, which fly straight to the one true God and cling to him alone.

We worry because we look for security from our jobs, from our income, from our retirement accounts. But as people of faith, we are called to turn to God alone for our security. We worry because we gauge our worth on acceptance by others, or on our accomplishments. But as people of faith, our worth comes from being adopted as children of God.

You see? Worry and fear are what result when the things of life supplant the place of God in our hearts and minds. Not that they aren't good things - family, vocation, friendship. But when those good things take the place of God in our lives - when they become the things we cling to and turn to for worth and security and comfort, then they have become our gods. Isn't this what Jesus is getting at?

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you-- you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

(Luke 12:22-32)

So, the worries and fears of life are really what happens when we turn from God and toward our idols. That much seems to be fairly clear to me. But what about fear in the house of faith? What about fear used in the name of God? After all, aren't we taught that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"? Doesn't Jesus preach about those who are cast into the outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth?

If, by fear, we mean respect, reverence, and awe - then yes, I think there is a place for such fear in the life of faith. But that is not how most of us mean fear. I come to rest in the words of 1 John:

God is love ... There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

If God is love, then God must be perfect love. And perfect love casts out fear. And, as children of God, we dwell in God and God dwells in us. Therefore ...

Simply put, I distrust people who peddle fear - whether it is the politics of fear, the marketing of fear, or the religion of fear. We worship the God who created all things, and provides us with all that we need. We worship the God who conquered sin and death by the power of the cross. We worship the God who has called us beloved children. We worship the God who is love, who casts out all fear.

Fear Not!