Do not fear
As I write this article, I confess that I’m having a little fear about my afternoon. Today I’m going to receive my Shingles vaccination! While I’m excited about the prospect of never getting Shingles, I’m a little fearful of how my body will respond to the series of shots for the vaccination. So, I coach myself to make friends with this temporary feeling on the good advice of my psychologist brother: “Oh, hello fear, you are with me right now and I will endure your presence, but you will eventually take leave. Fear, your visit won’t last forever.”
Evenings before high school athletic competitions, I was called on to provide support to my children. “What if I don’t feel good tomorrow?” or “What if I fail?” are questions that arose. Fear is a natural emotion for everybody. To be human is to experience fear occasionally. Maybe that is why the most frequent command in all Scripture is “Do not fear.” One scholar estimates that “Do not fear” is messaged 365 times in the Bible, meant to signify our daily need for God’s reassurance.
“Do not fear” is said so much that it could be considered a summary of the gospel. Do we all experience fear? Yes, but does fear have dominion over us? No! Fear should not dominate us because Jesus came to promise us, first- that God goes with us wherever we may go and, second- that God will bring us, and indeed all things, not just to an end, but to a good end.”
In the season of Lent, consider what it means for you. Lent is the space in time carved out before the celebration of Easter. It’s the place where we can confront human emotions like fear with honesty and compassion, rather than denial and dismissal. Lent gives us an opportunity to re- center ourselves in Jesus’ promise so that we are freed. To live with honesty, compassion, and courage. Join Midvale’s Lenten journey which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22. Lenten practices include worship, prayer, generosity to those in need, fasting, devotional reading, and faith learning experiences. Consider being a part of the Lent study we’ll be offering. Midvale’s study is really the ancient Lenten practice of Catechism. Catechism is a Latin word meaning “learning.” Midvale will offer a five-week study of the book of Genesis, titled “Old & New.” This study involves looking at an “old” book of the Bible in a fresh, new way. Check out the Lent schedule in this newsletter to see more and sign up! Another way you may participate in Lent is by sharing a simple meal with our community on Wednesdays in the fellowship hall, either lunch at noon or dinner from 5:00-6:30pm. On Sundays and Wednesdays, we will delve more deeply into the story of Jesus and his call for us to follow him. Through worship, prayers, education, service, music, and a congregational devotional, we will be filled with God’s confidence and courage so that we, too, may respond to God’s call to “fear not!" We can’t wait to share in this time of growth with you!
