Health & Fitness
2014: Let go of Fear
As we take our first steps into 2014, I pray the words of the Christmas angel will follow us. The angel from the Christmas story echoed a message that has been repeated throughout scriptures, “Do not be afraid.” More than one hundred times in Scripture has this line been uttered. Notably, it was not only at the birth of Jesus the angel said “Do not fear” it was also, the Gospel tells us what an angel said to the women at the empty tomb of Easter.
It seems that to see what God is doing in our midst, we must first put aside fear. We must let go of any negativity that holds us back especially from our brothers and sisters. Fear paralyses us in our ability to love. Fear guides us toward judgment rather than grace. We desperately need to let go of fear so we can see the activity of God.
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God is active in our lives and even here in the wonderful city of Imperial Beach. God is always preparing us for a new thing. What that new thing might be is yet for us to discover. But we can be confident we have a purpose and a mission. Each one of us has been blessed with gifts and abilities. I am confident in 2014, God will make it clear what our next step will be towards being more loving and compassionate people and a more grace-filled community.
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So my brothers and sisters, let go of fear. Let go of fear that may be connected to the past or something right in the present or even of an uncertain future. Let go of fear. Open the door and put fear outside for the trash truck to pick up.
In the place of fear, let us resolve in this New Year to put forward our dreams, our visions and our hopes. With our eyes, our hearts and our minds wide open, let us discern what God is calling each of us to do.
You do not have to be an overly religious person to do this. In fact, you don't have to be a religious person at all. The task is simply to let go of the negative energy and forces in life and instead move towards and grab onto the positive and uplifting power. It is all about your attitude. Be a positive person!
There is a popular slogan we might want to embrace. Let Go. Let God. In setting aside our fear, we acknowledge who really is in control. It isn’t me and it isn’t you. It isn’t even any politician or the economic markets. It is only God.
God desires the best for all, to lift up and to affirm.
So....with God, without fear, we step boldly together into the New Year.
If you would like to talk about letting go of your fears, I am always eager to listen. You can reach me at JonEdwin@aol.com And to be perfectly clear, I do not believe in judgment, but rather in compassion and grace.
I pray you have a Happy New Year ... one that is filled with all good things and absent of fear.
Pastor John
Imperial Beach United Methodist Church
455 Palm Avenue, IB
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Sunday Worship:
9AM: A 30 minute service with Holy Communion celebrated weekly
10:30AM: Holy Communion celebrated 1st Sunday of the month.
Our Hearts, Our Minds, Our Doors are always open.