Faith in the Face of Fear

“You’ve never really been much of a risk taker.”

My dad said it to me without a hint of malice or intended shame, and yet his words stung. My first instinct was to try to scan my memories for evidence which would rebut his statement. However, even as I began to assemble my list of “risky behaviors,” I felt a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit.

“He doesn’t define risk the same way you do,” I sensed the Spirit saying.

Too true. If asked, my dad, a decorated Korean War veteran, would have equated risk taking with bravery in the face of physical harm. Late in life, he acknowledged he had known real terror in battle, and the stories he told were nightmarish.

This Advent, our teaching series at First Presbyterian Church of Evanston is entitled “What Do You Fear?” Each Sunday from November 30 to December 21, through Scripture, song, and prayer, we will examine examples of fearful situations and see how God was present in each of them.

Then, on Christmas Eve, we will be reminded of the great truth of the holidays: Good news is louder than fear.

I won’t provide any spoilers here, but each of the four Sundays of Advent are sure to provoke deep thoughts and equally deep emotions.

Each of us has our own set of “worst fears,” right? Your first inclination might be to think of phobias like spiders, snakes, heights, or crowds.

But many of us are facing fears of a different kind. For some, we look at the world around us and genuinely wonder if evil will prevail. Others are on the brink of losing a loved one and wondering what will be there for them in their loneliness and grief. Parents can find it easy to drift into “future casting” the problems their kids will face in years to come.

I can absolutely guarantee that our sermon series will NOT have all the answers we hope to find. But having seen the Bible stories we are going to study and looked at the resources provided in our “What Do You Fear” Devotional Guide, I know there is much to look forward to that might help ease our burdens.

My dad would have scoffed at most of what I would have listed as my own brave acts. Things like singing in front of an audience, weeping while confessing my sins to my closest brothers in Christ, or giving my public testimony at churches overseas would likely have made him go weak at the knees had he ever been asked to do them.

But if I could go back in time and respond to his statement about my “risk aversion,” I would not list those. Instead, I would remind my dad that through all the times he took his risks, faced his horrors, and survived, God was by his side, eager to reveal a deep, personal, unshakable love for him.

Last Sunday, Pastor Tassie Green gave the introduction to her All-Church Advent Adult Education Class, “Picture This: Lectio & Visio Divina Practices.” Each of these classes stands on its own, so don’t hesitate to come even if you’ve missed one or more previous sessions.

As we did last year, we have created a special http://evanstonchristmas.org section of our website. This year’s has all kinds of information, including Advent event listings, a detailed description of the teaching series, games, and stuff for children, too. Please visit it and share it with those who you think might enjoy it.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Peace,

Jim Teague

FPCE Director of Communications