We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 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 are like Christ here in this world. Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear.1 John 4:16-18
When I was a young child, my mother took me on a trip by plane. In those days airplanes weren’t anything like they are today. We flew through a snowstorm, the wings froze up, and we made a somewhat difficult landing. We did walk away, but I was afraid of flying from that day forward. From the time I was five until I started consulting with churches twelve years ago, I boarded a plane only once.
When I first began consulting, I had to take a tranquilizer in order to get on an airplane, something I was not proud about. After a year or two of this nonsense I decided I had to do something, so I took flying lessons. I’ll never forget the day my instructor said to me, “Pull over on the taxiway, and drop me off. It’s time for you to solo.” My heart practically left my body! But a year later I got my pilot’s license, and my fear of flying was conquered.
What happened? My desire to follow God’s call in my life cast out my fear of flying. I’ve been traveling 100,000-plus miles a year ever since.
I find that life is that way as well. As we grow in our understanding of God’s love, we can overcome a world of fear. That’s why the words of John, “Perfect love expels all fear,” have a special meaning for me. It is really hard to be afraid when you know deep down that God really loves you.
As a consultant to churches and pastors, I have seen a lot of giving up lately. Things get so bad that church leaders are resigned to the death of a church; a pastor decides to retire early rather than retool; another pastor decides it’s easier to do what people in the church want done—even if what they want isn’t biblical—than it is to live with their wrath.
However, every time I see church leaders making a difference with their lives, it is because they are so in love with the God of Jesus Christ that they are driven by love and not fear.
The next time you are tempted to give in to the church bully, remember these words: Perfect love expels all fear.
—William “Bill” Easum
Reflection
Is God’s love more real to me than my fears and anxieties? What would my life and work look like if I were to act on the assurance of that love regardless of possible consequences?
Prayer
God, you know how fearful I am about ___________________. Help me to see that only through your love and strength can I conquer that fear—and to act on that knowledge.
“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” —John Wayne, actor
Leadership DevotionsCopyright © Tyndale House Publishers.Used by permission.
