Although almost a year has passed since my last post (I'd thought it had been much longer), this space is always close to my heart, alive and active in my thoughts. What keeps me away, then? This year was particularly full: two sibling weddings and related events, 100+ hours of Life Coach training and coaching, milestone anniversaries + birthdays + graduations, and eight months of preparation for Fost/Adopt certification. 2015 will forever go down in history as a year of harvest and celebration!
But aside from each year's unique montage of what can easily be reduced to busyness, what really keeps me away? In short: fear. And the constant wrestling match between my privacy-loving introversion and my sense of purpose, which is only purposeful when shared. Fear keeps me busybusybusy [avoiding what really matters], and, if I believe my sense of purpose, partially unfulfilled.
This equation involving fear and unfulfillment reminds me of a story my family loved to chuckle over. One Easter when I was very young my grandparents watched in shock and horror as I stood in the middle of an egg hunt and another child walked up to me and took for herself an egg out of my basket. They yelled, "don't let her take your egg!" But in my own shock and fear of conflict I just let her take it and the hunt continued. I share this to illustrate the deep roots of my fear and consequential paralysis. Over the past year or more I've been mulling over this scene and the question I believe I need to keep answering (with new action) is: Am I going to continue to let fear straight-up steal from me?
"Don't be afraid" is the message for me this year. Both gently and with urgency it has called me forth, inspired our steps, kept me afloat, and moreover, is the truth that leads us into receiving the fullness of joy.
In Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas, Johann Christoph Arnold offers powerful perspective in his contribution, "Be Not Afraid."
"when God's angel broke the good news of the Savior's birth to the cowering shepherds of Bethlehem, 'Fear not!' was more than an instruction for them to get up off the ground and stop shielding their frightened faces. The 'glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people' meant that fear's grip on human hearts was going to have to give way to the far greater power of love."
It is the punctuation reinforcing the message: Don't be afraid. Allow Love to do the work for which it was sent: to redeem your past, restore your current circumstances, and give you a purpose and a future. Receive Love without fear of the control you will lose. Trade your fear for the hope of a joy that is deeper and more wonderful than you could ever have imagined. Be open to fulfillment looking different than what you expect. Experience the fullness of joy!
Fear is one of our primary negative emotions; it's normal and often mixed with anger and/or sadness. We are oft-afraid of what we cannot see, control, or understand. I am in no way dismissing fear or its validity; neither does the phrase, "Don't be afraid." If we weren't afraid, it wouldn't need to be said.
What I am saying (and understanding for my own life) is it's normal to be afraid and healthy to acknowledge it. We can list our fears, talk them through, have a bad moment...and then end that conversation with a decision to act with love and courage, instead of fear.
It's much harder for something to keep a grip on us if we are actively and consistently moving away from it. And what joy comes from this freedom, no?
As we celebrate the fact that great joy was made possible for us through Jesus, would you take some time to consider the value of this gift? Before the new year would you reflect on where Love has brought you or where you'd like to experience Him more? Would you sift through the fears and hope toward a brighter future?
You & I were made for much, much more than shielding our faces, busying, shriveling, freezing, making excuses, what-iffing, and certainly more than allowing our baskets to be pillaged. The happy news of great joy is for all people. One step outside of fear, great joy is available for you and me.
Peace, grace, and love to you! May your joy this Christmas be deep, and may your purpose arise and shine in the new year!
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Reflection Questions:
What is your posture when you hear, "Don't be afraid"?
What is your experience with joy?
What holds you back from experiencing healing? reconciliation? fulfillment? peace? fun?
What are you afraid of? What are the facts supporting your fears? Assumptions?
Are you willing to let go of your fears?
What do you really want for your life?
What are your talents and gifts? Which are you not using? Why?
What's your purpose (in life, but also specifically in this season of life)?
What truly important thing have you been ignoring, but is calling for your attention?
In what area of life would you like to see transformation? Why is this important to you?
What's your first step in making a change?
What's the cost to you this next year if you make no change?
What's the cost to others this next year if you make no change?
Where can you find support, accountability, education, or resources to make a change?
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