Wednesday, September 5, 2018

“And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” (1 John 4:18, New Living Translation)

                Like a lot of people, a trip to the dentist is not one of my favourite things to do. But when a broken tooth (while on vacation) leaves a gap the size of a small canyon, I really had no choice, even though I did procrastinate for a little while. Fortunately, it wasn’t causing me any pain or discomfort – as yet. But man, I could have kept loose change, wallet and sunglasses in the cavity.

                My appointment was yesterday. I surprised myself as I realized that I had very little anxiety about and no fear of the visit. Part of it is that I have a very good dentist. But I also have come to realize that in most visits there has been very little pain or discomfort during or afterwards. I really had nothing to fear. The only thing that hurts is the cost of the visit, but beyond that, modern dentistry is no longer something to fear or dread. I was done in 45 minutes, had a new tooth and was back home in time for lunch. No peanut brittle or jujubes for a week.

                Fear is powerful emotion. But it is a necessary emotion if we are doing something very risky, dangerous or facing something that is truly threatening and menacing in our lives. It adds a voice of caution, concern, second thoughts and warning that we need to stay focused, be diligent, avoid terrible mistakes and make good choices. Even heroes may exhibit fear in the situations which they are facing. Fear doesn’t necessarily make you a coward; it may make you smarter, wiser or more persevering and determined. Facing one’s fears is not easy and yet, it offers fresh beginnings and new possibilities.

                Of course, on the other hand, some types of fear are debilitating to our human spirit. Some fears may be irrational and unsubstantiated, but those fears don’t seem any less real. Deep-seated fear can paralyze the human soul, makes us totally indecisive, leaves us wanting to pull the covers over our heads and pray that whatever it is we are dreading in the moment will go away and leave us alone. Fear can lead to denial, anger, despair, depression and drown us in a sweat of qualms and anxiety.

                Our text from the first letter of John is a favourite of mine. “Perfect love expels all fear.” At first, this may sound too facile or simplistic. Well, so is a mother’s hug when a child cowers in a thunderstorm. So is a father’s hand wiping away tears after a child has fallen of her bike and is afraid to get back on.  So is a comforting word when a friend loses a loved one and fears facing the future without him or her.   So is toonie thrown in a beggar’s ball cap, so that he doesn’t fear the night.  So is a smile when someone’s hands are shaking from nerves.

                It all depends on how you define “perfect love.”  It is based in God’s love for his sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. It is a Love that gives us strength, courage, hope, joy even in the toughest and most challenging of times and situations.  This Love just doesn’t comfort and soothe but expels fear – casts it out. It replaces fear with a new energy and powerful assurances that not even Judgment Day itself can cause us to fear. When we hang onto the Love of Jesus by living like him in this world, even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we will fear no evil because God’s presence, i.e. Love, is right there with you and me every step of the way.

Dale