“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:13-16
I don’t know how old you happen to be or what challenges along your journey have left you with emotional and physical scars and bruises. I can tell you from firsthand experience that following Christ is not for weaklings, wimps, or the faint of heart. You and these Haitian school children probably know that by now.
What is it costing you to follow Christ? Unlike many believers around the world and these kids in Haiti, you may not live in an area where you face violent oppression daily. But our sin filled world seems to be conjuring up new varieties of sin every day that challenge our faith walk. It doesn’t matter where you happen to be from, when you’re faced with challenges because of your faith, it’s natural to feel afraid. So how do you get rid of the fear of the challenges on this side of Paradise? You need to be filled with God’s love.
In the above verses, Peter encourages us that when we feel pressured to be quiet about your faith, you have a choice: You can worry, or you can worship. Choose worship. That means either you panic or you pray; you focus on the challenge, pressure, and persecution, or you focus on God. Choose to worship; because focusing on God is essentially worship. Next time you face challenges to your faith, choose to worship instead of worry.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay