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TRANSCRIPT:
We continue our journey through our Lenten study, “Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit” by Henri Nouwen. In the preface of the book, Nouwen describes spiritual formation not as progressive stages of development, but rather as “movements from the things that enslave and destroy to liberation and life.”

Well, if there is anything in our lives that threatens to hold us captive, it’s fear. And so, in this week’s chapter, Nouwen invites us to move from fear to love.

The chapter starts with a parable of sorts about a group of people trapped in a cycle of fear of not having enough—enough wealth, enough knowledge, enough safety. And so, in an attempt to protect what they do have, they end up creating a prison of their own making, held hostage by their fear.

It may be a metaphor. But I think, if we’re honest, fear can feel like this—especially these days. We’re bombarded with messages describing the supposed threats to our health, our children, our freedoms, our way of life. Beyond the messages, there is simply the reality that we do live in a world of uncertainty—and the vulnerability we feel because of that uncertainty can be uncomfortable at best and paralyzing at worst.

But the truth is, Fear is not simply a 21^st century phenomenon. Throughout the scriptures, we are reminded that fear has always been a part of the human condition.  From Adam and Eve being afraid that they were missing out by not having the fruit of this one tree, or the Israelites being afraid to cross into the promised land, to the disciples being afraid for their lives during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, or a rich young man being afraid to leave it all behind and follow Jesus.

The examples of fear continue today in our lives as well.  Maybe it’s a fear of what the diagnosis might be, or a fear of telling someone you love the truth. Maybe it’s a fear that your child will be bullied or rejected, or that people will leave your church or never come back because of all the changes. Or maybe, fear looks like the memes that flood your social media feed or the things your favorite news station says. Whatever the cause, these fears lead us to shame and blame, to separation and silence, and to hearts that are incapable of truly loving our neighbor or our God. As it was in the beginning, so fear continues to be a part of our story as human beings.

But the invitation to move from Fear to Love has been a part of God’s invitation to his children since the beginning as well.
--Do Not Fear for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine.
--Be Strong and Courageous for the Lord you God goes with you wherever you go.
--Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
--For I have not given you a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love and of power and of sound mind.

When it comes to our spiritual formation—our journey of becoming more like Jesus—this movement from fear to love is essential…but not easy. It requires praying at all times and a constant commitment to sit under the shelter of God’s wings so that God’s voice of love becomes louder than the Enemy’s voice of fear. As Nouwen says, “Fear is one of the most effective weapons in the hands of those who seek to control us.” And the Enemy would love nothing more than to keep us from trusting in God’s love and abundance.

This movement towards Christlikeness also means a recognition of our fears and an honest acknowledgment of how they might be influencing our thoughts, words, and actions—as well as our choices, our schedules, and our priorities. It means opening our eyes to the ways in which fear of missing out or being left out, of not having enough or being enough, may be fueling our exhausting schedules, our shallow relationships, or our constant competition.

And this movement from fear to love means a willingness to surrender, to open our hearts and invite God’s Spirit to dwell in us, to find those dark corners of fear, and to flood them with the light of love.

The writer of the first book of John reminds us that, “There is no fear in love because perfect love casts out fear.” When we know how much we are loved by God, when we know that he has created us and called us, that we belong—it begins to release the chains of fear that bind us.

And when we take that a step further and share that truth with others—helping them to know, through our words and actions, that they are fearfully and wonderfully made and there is a Savior who loves them—we begin to see the prison walls of fear come tumbling down in the world around us. We begin to see glimpses of God’s kingdom that comes among us…on earth as it is in Heaven.

But it takes commitment, intentionality, and practice. And so, I want to end today with Psalm that Nouwen offers at the end of the chapter:

There is one thing I ask of the Lord; for this I long:
To live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life….
For there God keeps me safe in God’s tent.
In the day of evil God hides me.
In the shelter of God’s tent on a rock God sets me safe….
And now my head shall be raised Above my foes who surround me.
And I shall offer within God’s tent a sacrifice of joy.

May this be the prayer of our hearts—hearts filled with love instead of fear—as we continue to be disciples who are seeking to become like Jesus and who invite others to a way of life that moves from fear to love.