By: Rev Jan Hryniewicz
“Do not be afraid” or “ fear not.” The scriptures make this announcement over and over again. These are usually the first words out of angel’s mouths. Abraham, Moses, Mary, Joseph, shepherds tending their flocks, Paul sitting in a jail cell, the women looking for Christ’s body at Easter and disciples rowing a boat in the strong wind all hear these words. Be not afraid…. fear not! In all, these words occur almost 100 times in the scriptures
We tell our children that when we are encouraging them to try something new, when they go to the dentist or doctor or on their first day of school. “ Don’t be afraid”. It’s going to be OK! It just may be that that is the assurance we all need when we embark on a journey of faith; to hear and be able to believe the words: Don’t be afraid. It’s going to be alright.
Why did I choose this text today? Am I hoping to convince you that you will be able to walk on water if your faith is strong enough? Is it to prove that Jesus is a superstar, capable of defying the laws of nature?
Neither.
I chose it because I sense that people are afraid of many things right now on our planet…in our nation …..and our fear makes us especially vulnerable to fraud and exaggerations….to hasty decisions and undue stress.
How can we not be afraid when we listen to the news about terrorist attacks. school shootings., .a contagious virus that has claimed the lives of over 5,000 people, about impending natural disasters,
Fear is a normal and often helpful emotion that keeps us alive. We don’t have to feel guilty for feeling afraid! There are some things that we are wise to fear, for our own protection and there are many who prey upon our natural fearful instincts. We struggle to discern the truth when these waves of fear wash over us.
I feel that we all need the spiritual assurance that there is a Divine Presence in the midst of all the chaos, that is offering a calm place to be.
In the powerful verse from the eloquent book of Isaiah we read these comforting words,
So do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Do not fear!
Throughout the ages, God has been revealed as a source of refuge and strength…. a Spirit of healing and comfort. As tragedy threatens or strikes, the majority of people I know, request the comforting, strengthening support of prayer…..even those who have not sought a relationship with God previously. When we are afraid and don’t think we can face this alone, we hope and pray that a Higher Power will intervene and make it alright. And, just how this Divine Presence intervenes is food for theological discussion which some of us have shared in the past, and we can share it again anytime.
You may know the old story of a hiker who comes too close to the edge of the Grand Canyon, losing his footing and plunging over the side. Yet, amazingly, the hiker is able to grab hold of a small bush. Filled with fear, the hiker calls out, “Is anyone up there? Can anyone help me?”
A reassuring voice promptly answers, “I’m here; I’m the Lord your God.” Overjoyed, the hiker responds, “I’m so glad you came along, God. I can’t hold on much longer.”
“But do you really believe I can help you? Do you believe in me?” questions God.
Growing more and more desperate, the hiker shouts, “Lord, you can’t believe how much I believe in you! I really believe!” “
Good,” says God. “Let go of the branch.”
“But, God. . .” protests the hiker. Once again God responds, “If you really believe in me, let go of the branch.”
The hiker is silent for a few moments, then shouts, “Seriously, God? “Is Anybody else up there?”
Isn’t there another option, God?
How strong is your faith in times of crisis? Is mine? Will God intervene by defying the laws of gravity, allowing us to float to safety….or does God intervene by helping us to find the strength and resources to hang on until help comes….until we discover another option.
In her wonderful book Sacred Spaces, one of my most faithful literary companions, author Margaret Silf has a section entitled “ Crossing the anxiety threshold” in which she discusses how difficult times of transition and change can be for most of us…..anxiety and fear producing. It’s so much less stressful to stay in our comfortable ruts….. as individuals or as a church community….or as a corporation. We may long for the adventure of new, crave the freedom to step out in new directions, but we are just too fearful, unsure of the outcome. Become full of doubts!
There is a character in the classic work Don Quixote named Sancho Panza. Sancho Panza hangs in fear from the ledge of a window all night long, too frightened to let go. When morning dawns he discovers
his toes are only an inch off the ground. Too frequently we are paralyzed by fear that is unfounded, false or exaggerated.
One of the requirements ; if we want to walk on the water, we have to get out of the boat I
It’s amusing to think of Simon Peter climbing out of the boat trying to imitate Jesus by walking on the water. Then, like a cartoon character, he makes the mistake of looking around. “What in the world am I doing?” he asked himself and suddenly he begins to sink. How often that happens in life. People are charting a successful course in their business, in their marriage, in their spiritual walk, and then they begin to listen to their fears. “What if I fail? What if the market fails? What if my faith is misplaced?” and they begin slowly to sink.
When Jesus told those early disciples to fear not he was not telling them to seek safety and security. Rather he was telling them to move forward, but to always trust in
the Divine Spirit that he revealed so powerfully. Be not afraid. You are not alone.
I’ll bet every one of us this morning can think of some remarkable water-walkers we have known and we currently know…who have taken the leap of faith, who have climbed out of the boat, who have crossed the anxiety threshold. What about those of us who have recovered from devastating loss of loved ones and moved on to live productive lives….to love and laugh and find joy again.. We are water walkers.
What about any of us who have refused to be victims and remain hostage to negative energy and poor me attitudes….and have attempted a new path of being and doing. We are water walkers. What about those of us who are following our dreams, writing books and songs and plays and taking on new business ventures and careers in order to make a difference in the world…. who are trying to be positive forces for peace and kindness by giving hours volunteering every week. We are water walkers.
Remember that old song… “sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down you’re rockin’ the boat”? I was told that I was rocking the boat at a church I was serving early in my youth ministry career…..and I resigned from that position shortly thereafter. I got out of that boat! Have you ever been or are you now in a boat that is drifting in a direction you don’t want to go? Get out! Walk on the water with Jesus! Storms may still assault us, but we do have a life jacket if we choose to inflate it! Amen.