Afraid yet filled with joy. Matthew 28:8 (NIV)
Certain right actions are just plain scary to do. Walking across the aisle in church to meet a new family can cause anxiety because it’s new and unfamiliar. Fear of judgment or rejection take an aisle seat too. But, knowing how I feel in a new church (while on vacation, let’s say) compels me forward to smile, stick out my hand for a firm and welcoming shake.
More often than not I make a new friend at that moment as our hearts connect in mutual acceptance. My fear was replaced with obedience as I recognize I did it scared, knowing God was with me all along.
Many who know me would think meeting new people is second nature to me. It is not the case – I much prefer the company of my family and friends. I like to surround myself with love of familiar faces and hugs. But God wants me to be His hands and feet to a stranger and welcome him/her. So, I go across the aisle in service of my Lord.
The women at the tomb were afraid because they discovered an empty tomb. In full anticipation of a mournful job needing to be done – fully preparing the body of the friend and Rabbi, they did not expect joy instead. An angel told the good news of Jesus having risen from the dead. He was not there, the grave was empty. He’s alive. Praise God.
The angel told them to go tell the others – and in their fear, they did. They hurried away, they crossed the aisle, so to speak, to tell the others. They did it scared.
Obedience to God does require an element of healthy fear. Because God stretches us, challenges us and leads us into new adventures, new relationships and new opportunities. Imagine if the women had not gone? Who would have told the hiding disciples? They had deserted Jesus and were not around. It was the women who went early to the tomb to complete the burial process for their beloved Friend.
When you know God is calling you to do something new or different, your heart races. Your hands get clammy. Sweat beads form on your temples. It’s how you know, you know. You wrestle in your heart with the answer. You toss every angle around in your mind. You rationalize the reasons why or why not. This could go on for seconds, minutes, days, months or years – depending upon the situation. Or, dare I say, disobedience?
Many times in Scripture folks are told not to be afraid. Why is that? I believe it can be one of two things – they just witnessed a terrifying event, or two, what they are asked to do is insane.
But, upon closer inspection of these many instances, it is a representative of God or God Himself, telling them not to fear, not someone nearby. Heaven is proclaiming, "Fear not!" Wow. If God is making it that clear we are not to be afraid, then, we should buckle up for the best ride of our lives.
With God on our side all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) All things. Not some things. All. And last time I checked, all means all. This is a word I circle in my Bible because this wishy wash heart can falter under pressure and fear. When I see how powerful God moves in all my life, I am encouraged and challenged to move forward in the next adventure because of the evidence of His Presence with me in the last. I was not abandoned before, so I won’t be in the present. Very reassuring.
When faced with meeting new challenges – whether it’s new people, new places, new ministries – I can walk across the aisle of life in full assurance God is with me. I can be afraid, yet filled with joy knowing the Saviour of the world is in me, leading me and is showing great and marvelous works – His.
PRAYER
Father, what sweet words we read in Matthew 28. Those women just did it. Yes, they were afraid, but their time with You Jesus, caused them to get on the other side of fear and do what they were told to do. They did it afraid but filled with joy. What an example of Your power on display for us to see. May we respond in kind. Lord, when You call, may we answer. When You say go, may we go. When You light the path, may we take the first step – and it at times we need to do it afraid, may we just do it. Knowing You are there every step of the way. In Your Name Jesus.
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