With a Love that Casts Out Fear

“Do not live in fear, little flock. It has pleased your Creator to give you the Kindom.” – Luke 12:32

Fear is there to be had.

What keeps you from succumbing to it?

You hear it asked for everywhere you turn. “Fear the Mexican. Fear the Muslim. Fear same-sex marriage.”

But you are not afraid.

What do you know?

Did you believe your sacred text when it told you that faith, hope, and love abide: that the greatest of these is love? Did you remember that once you were a stranger and were welcomed? Did you remember your Jesus—his believe that the love of neighbor was the greatest commandment?

Or did you simply accept that nothing in this world can separate you from the love of God; and that the God who fashioned you, called you by name, and abides with you in the shadowed valleys has given you the Kindom?

If you know that, you know enough. Faith instills within you an abiding orientation to faith, hope, and love. In such a soul, fear cannot abide.

I see the wisdom in a teacher who says simply: “Do not be afraid.” Yes, the lilies of the field will be adorned and the birds of the air will eat. And how much more does your Creator love you? You will be well.

And so you do not succumb. You do not fear. You simply love. And that—well, that is genius.

Prayer

Holy One, can you teach me to love like that, with a love that casts out fear? This is my humble prayer. May it be so.

dorhauerAbout the Author
John Dorhauer is the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.