VALLEY VINE valley presbyterian church
August 2015
Volume 60, Number 7
Dear friends, What phrase does Jesus say more than any other in the New Testament? What is the most common saying within scripture as a whole? “Be not afraid.” Fear blocks other emotions, enfeebles faith, inhibits decision, undermines action. Fear limits our potential and seats us on the sidelines. In our end of summer series, we will examine what it means to live life without fear. We’ll address our fear of death and loss, our fear of failure, our fear of the future and our fear of commitment. The last fear has been characteristic of our age and is reflected in the way we struggle to make and keep marriage vows, as well as in declining levels of committed participation in civic and religious organizations. Many people are wary of making a faith commitment, and they live on the edge of Christian discipleship. They are attracted by Jesus, interested in community, drawn to His values and promises. But they fear making a faith commitment. Part of this fear is social. How will others react to their choice? Will they lose face? Will relationships become more complicated? Will they be seen as overzealous or judgmental or fanatical? Some of this commitment fear is based on a need for terminal openness. To commit is to foreclose our options. This is true in romantic relationships, job choices, and educational moves. But losing options is a necessary sacrifice, since freedom comes through commitment, and only a committed person can grow his character or her heart.
Some aversion to commitment comes from a fear of losing control and ceding authority. God will require some habits to go, some practices to change. We must recognize an authority beyond our own will, someone who requires our obedience and commands our allegiance. We must admit that God is wiser, holier, and better positioned to govern our lives. We must acknowledge His sovereignty and resign as king or queen of our own universe. This is not easy for any human ego – we all naturally defend our own right to autonomy. But resisting this commitment means resisting reality and proceeding instead on the farcical belief that I am an adequate final authority on my own. Commitment does mean submission, but it also means having an all-knowing and all-powerful and all-loving God on our side as a divine guide. What fears lurk in your heart? Let’s be committed to mastering them together this August, knowing that perfect love casts out fear. Yours faithfully,
SUNDAYS AUGUST 2-30
VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
6947 E. McDonald Drive ▪ Paradise Valley, AZ 85253-5342 Phone: 480-991-6424 ▪ Fax: 480-991-6427 Email: church@myvalleychurch.org ▪ Website: myvalleychurch.org
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