Pastor’s Corner - Face your fear

— I’ve calmed down a little since my teen years and my 20s. I am a recovering adrenaline junkie. I would do almost anything for a shot of adrenaline - ride bulls, climb rocks, even went to stuntman school.

I still crave an adrenaline boost every now and then but, in my earlier immortal years, I couldn’t get enough bull riding. Monday through Thursday I would go through adrenaline withdraw. Then Friday it was off to another rodeo for another adrenaline high.

Adrenaline rush usually comes when you put yourself in a fearful situation.

The high comes when you conquer your fears.

I haven’t personally counted but someone said that God tells us 366 times to not fear. That is one time for each day of the year and one extra for leap year.

Why is it so important for God to remind us 366 times to not fear? Could be that fear keeps us from experiencing God at a deeper level.

Think about Moses. He encountered God one day.

God said go to Egypt and ask the King to let all of his work force leave with you. Moses was fearful.

He didn’t want to do it. He was afraid of failing. He somehow pushed through his fear and did it anyway.

After a few failed attempts at convincing the King of Egypt to let God’s people go, Pharaoh gave in and let them go. You’ve seen the movie.

Charleton Heston escaped Pharaoh’s army with the parting of the Red Sea.

They ate food that God literally sent from heaven.

God did some amazing things. And the point is that Moses would have missed it and had missed a deeper relationship with God had he not pushed through his fears.

What are we missing when we fail to push through our fears? We miss our purpose, our blessings, our adventure, but, most of all, we miss a certain dynamic of our relationship with God that is found only on the other side of our fears. God isn’t necessarily looking for bull riding, bungee jumping, tornado chasing, base jumping adrenaline junkies. He is looking for folks who are ready to face and push through their fear of failure, of rejection and security just to name a few.

Heavenly Father, give me courage to no longer be intimidated by things and circumstances that are smaller than You. Help me to push through my fears and I know that You will be waiting for me on the other side. In Jesus name, Amen!

Editor’s note: Tim Wallace is pastor of Cross Brand Church. For more of Tim’s articles you can go to www.tallinthesaddle.wordpress.org.

Church, Pages 2 on 01/27/2010