“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4.18
Our invitation is to live into the truth of the power of love. God is love. God initiated love. Love cannot be manufactured from human effort in hopes to perform our way into a relationship with God or anyone else for that matter. When we are afraid, we are looking towards punishment or expecting negative results instead of depending on the sovereign love of God. Our fear often is a result of how we view God, or how we are viewing our relationship with God. When we are tempted to fear, may we consider asking “What do I believe about God here?”
David Benner talks about this relationship with God in the context of what happens when we believe that God is full of disappointment and frustration with us. Benner says, “The motive for any obedience you might offer will be fear rather than love, and there will be little genuine surrender. Surrender involves relaxing, and you must feel safe before you can relax. How could anyone ever expect to feel safe enough to relax in the presence of a God who is preoccupied with their shortcomings and failures?”
Jesus’ entry on the earth, coming onto the scene for the sake of the redemption of souls, writes the story of love in action. God’s love in action is always seen in and through the life of Jesus.
Let’s read of a woman who was not motivated by fear, but overcome by love. There was a distinct knowing, her heart was safe, her mind relaxed as Messiah entered the scene. Perception doesn’t stop her, cost doesn’t stop her, no thing or person on earth stops her from responding in love to Messiah. May we allow her story to infuse our story with such confidence that we live the truth we believe, “no fear in love”.
“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. 9 ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’ 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.'” Matthew 26.13
Reflections:
- How safe is God to you?
- What does full surrender to His love look like in your life?
- “Surrender involves relaxing.” How might you live more fully into this truth today?
Prayer:
We join Charles de Foucauld with a prayer of Abandonment today:
“Father, I abandon myself into your hands;
Do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
And in all your creatures-
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
For I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
To surrender myself into your hands
Without reserve,
And with boundless confidence,
For you are my Father.
Amen.”
