Question: What do you owe God?

The correct answer is probably everything. My whole life. But sometimes being more specific is necessary to make an answer concrete.

Charles de Foucault, the French priest and humanitarian, once said, “The one thing we owe absolutely to God is never to be afraid of anything.”

Some may think that this is an overstatement, but in the Bible, God’s perfect love is the exact opposite of fear. 

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  – 1 John 4:18

The more we are afraid of life (including change, exposure, opportunity, other people, deep relationship, sickness, loss, etc.) the less we understand and own God’s love. It is worth considering that God’s most repeated command to us in the Bible is “Do not fear.” Think about it. If you believe in a good God, but live in fear, that definitely says something about the strength of your belief system.

So, another question: What do you need to do, or stop doing, but fear is holding you back?

Maybe it’s time to surrender that fear to God, ask honestly for a new level of faith, and take one step out of your fear. Just one. Today.

Then pray some more. Surrender some more. Remind yourself of how much God loves you, and all the people and things he has blessed you with. And then take one more step.

Who knows? Fear might get left behind on the bold road into tomorrow.

Lord, I give my fear to you. I claim, in faith, that you have good things planned for me. I cling to your perfect love. Now, would you please help me to be courageous today, here and now? I trust you. Amen.