From Fear to Faith

As I looked at the October lessons for our sermon series, "Connect the Dots," I noticed a pattern. See if you can see the same. . .

Ishmael is abandoned in the desert and must trust God to protect him.

Isaac is placed on the sacrificial altar and Abraham must trust God to provide.

Jacob wrestles with some strange creature at the riverbank all night long and must trust God that he will prevail.

Joseph is thrown into a pit and sold into slavery and must trust God to survive.

See the pattern? They all find themselves in a place of real (not imaginary) fear. And yet, for them to overcome, they must move from fear to faith.

There are plenty of things in the news that cause real fear--war, terrorism, job loss, the economy. Such fear paralyzes our actions, discourages our attempts, and shatters our hope. Many live in that state of constant fear. But as believers, we move from fear to faith, trusting that God is still in charge and has a plan for our wellbeing.

On October 24, I will ask each of you to bring forth your commitment card for the work of the church in 2011. For some, this will be an anxious and fearful time to put down on paper what you plan to give even in these uncertain times. But I'm asking you to follow the lead of the biblical witness. I'm asking you to look at these heroes of the past. I'm asking you to move from fear to faith in a God who has already overcome the world.

Fearlessly Yours,
Pastor Scott