Fear and Love

I have always been a talker, and I feel like I've learned to articulate myself and communicate my thoughts relatively well over the years. However, in light of the events in Paris, Syria, and now the U.S. in the past couple weeks, I find myself struggling to put words to my thoughts and emotions.  Some issues seem black and white.  The question of whether to respond to those in need usually is.  But there are so many layers to the discussion involving Syrian refugees that I feel it is important to acknowledge that this is NOT a cut and dry process.

I believe that the main reason that this discussion has become so difficult is because of the dichotomy of fear.  We all know that fear can be a healthy emotion sometimes.  It is fear that sets off the warning bell to keep us from being burnt by a hot surface, or electrocuting ourselves, or getting hit by a car when crossing the street.  It is fear that is leading many in our country now to say, "Keep them out.  If we can't be sure what their intentions are towards us and our innocents, we can't take that risk".

But fear can also cross a line and become the problem.  Scripture warns us against this kind of fear so many times that it is said that "Do not fear" is the most repeated command in the Bible.  Whether that is specifically true or not doesn't matter--what does matter is that God knows that we, as humans have a propensity to fear.  So, like most things that can be good, he warns us against the extreme--the point at which fear paralyzes us from the actions of love.

Love is an amazing thing.  It is one of the few things in this world that cannot be pushed into a "bad" extreme.  You can never have "too much" love.  And love does amazing things.  It gives us the power to forgive.  The second greatest commandment of the Old Testament calls us to love our neighbors.  Jesus showed us that our neighbor is more than just the person that lives next door to us (Luke 10:25-37).  Jesus also took it a step further and told us to love our enemies.

So the question remains: how do we walk the fine line of allowing fear to help protect us from danger, while at the same time loving our enemies? 

I think this is a question that we all have to answer individually for ourselves.  But as we walk through the process of answering this question, let us ask God to give us "a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Advent Devotions

My mother has always been a "collector".  I wouldn't go so far as to call her a hoarder, but she has saved up many bits of paper and important photos over the years.  Most of the time she either displays these things proudly as a testament to her family's legacy, or uses them well in her life.  One of the "bits of paper" that she saved from before I was born was pages of a magazine with a simple Advent Devotional and instructions on how to make an Advent Wreath.  The Advent Wreath has always played a prominent role in our family Christmas celebrations, and my mother continues to pass this sacred tradition on to others--often making an Advent Wreath for newly-weds and tucking the devotional into the box.

As I grew up, my parents and I faithfully gathered together each Advent Sunday to use this special devotional and anticipate the Christ child's coming.  I am beyond grateful for this tradition and memory that I have of our family time.  We would turn off all the lights, find a flashlight, and celebrate together.  And if anyone was with us, they were included in the celebration.  It was such a peaceful time to slow down and remember what the true meaning of the season was.

When I moved away from home, my mother gave me a Christmas song book, a hymnal, and copies of the original devotional pages so that, in the event that we couldn't be together for Christmas, I could celebrate with whoever I was with.  When I got married, my husband and I began using the devotional in our Christmas celebrations, including anyone who we were with at the time.

I always imagined sharing this precious tradition with my own children--repeating it so often that the Scripture, readings, and prayers would be seared into their memories too.  As I've read recently in a book by Laura Story, sometimes we have to let go of some of our dreams because God has better plans.  The dream of sharing this tradition with my own children is something I've had to let go of.  But this holiday season, God has given me a new dream.  I will be sharing this devotional with the kids at my church through my role as a Children's Ministry Director!  I'm so excited about this chance to pass on something that has been so formative in my spiritual walk to the next generation!

I would also like to share this devotional with you!  I have never found anything like it in my many searches over the years.  It is beautifully written, and based on verses of the song, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel".  Click here to find a printable PDF of this devotional.