Have you ever held a job that you absolutely dreaded going to? Has there ever been a certain task that you had to complete as part of the job description that made you want to resign?
What about outside of the workplace, in your Christian life? Has God given you a job description you couldn’t handle? Has God ever asked you to do something that you dreaded? Or, is there one thing lurking that if God asked you to do, you would be inclined to say no and run far away?
In today’s story of faith, I want to introduce you to a fellow believer who was given what appeared to be the worst job description ever. Despite being afraid, this brother in the Lord went willingly toward what made him fearful instead of running away.
The Battle – Fear Against Faith
Our hearts are constantly torn between fear and faith. It’s the bipolar nature of every Christian who still has sin inside of them, no matter how long we have walked with the Lord or how many feats we have seen our God accomplish.
Maybe you can relate to some of these:
- We’re afraid that we won’t be able to pay our bills, so we don’t give joyfully and liberally to God’s kingdom.
- We’re afraid of what our neighbors, coworkers or family members will think, so we don’t share our faith as vocally as we should.
- We’re afraid that we will be rejected, so we don’t lovingly confront a brother or sister in Christ when we need to.
- We’re afraid of looking stupid, so at Bible study or small group, we don’t ask the questions that have been plaguing our faith.
- We’re afraid of failure, so we don’t attempt to make the most of the gifts that God has given us.
- We’re afraid to leave the comforts of our predictable lives, so we don’t step out into that ministry opportunity.
- We’re afraid of what people will think if they really get to know us, so we find it more comfortable to hide rather than be open and vulnerable.
I know it’s true for me, and I’m sure it’s true for you as well: Faith collides with fear in our hearts more than we tend to think it does. Our confessional theology doesn’t always match our functional theology. Much of what we do is propelled by fear, and not motivated by a sure and restful faith in the presence, power and promises of the Lord.
This is why I find today’s story of faith, located in Acts 9, to be so engaging, convicting and encouraging.
