June 7

I rarely do this, but because of two particular emails I received in response to last week’s email blast about fear—and due to current events—I’d like to add a bit to those thoughts. (Don’t stop halfway through.)

In Batman Begins, a character named Scarecrow releases a fear toxic across Gotham City. It feels like the devil has done the same thing to our land.

As I write this, we are dealing with a declared pandemic, people have died, many more have become unemployed, a fire has broken out just miles from the church and has destroyed several homes, those sworn to protect and serve are murdering people on camera, riots are spreading across the land, a curfew has been imposed on law-abiding citizens...and who could forget the murder hornets.

David. You are saying “do not fear.” Are you insane? No. And I’m NOT advocating reckless behavior. Take precautions if you are high risk. Take them out of love for neighbor and your valuable identity as a son or daughter of God. If you feel isolated and just want to talk—call me at 480-346-3042. But don’t be fearful. Caution and fear don’t have to go hand-in-hand.

Scripture is clear on this point. “Don’t put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Take reasonable caution and value your life. Yet, one of the qualities that has set us apart since Peter gave his first public sermon right after Pentecost has been an absence of fear (with the only exception being the fear of separation from God).

Don’t believe me? Read Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 23:4, 27:1, 34:4–5, 46:1–3, 56:3–4, Matthew 8:25–27, Luke 14:27, 2 Timothy 1:7, and 1 John 4:18–19.

No one who is staying home because they are at elevated risk should feel guilty in the slightest. Nor should they be fearful.

Questions? Comments? Email David at dlins@oloj.org.