WHEN YOU DON'T GET THE "FEAR" MEMO

What would you do if you didn't know you were supposed to be afraid?

My little girl is a daredevil. She's this tiny, fearless, jump-in-with-both-feet, do-crazy-stunts-without-batting-an-eyelash kind of girl. And she's always been this way! She wasn't even a year old when she started climbing this horse and not just riding, but standing up on the back of the horse like she was riding in the Kentucky Derby! She'd bounce along enthusiastically as though gravity somehow didn't apply to her.

Meanwhile, we were terrified! We kept taking her down off the horse, until about 20 times later we finally realized she was fine. I mean, really fine. She had this super-tenacious hold on the horse and just bounced away, grinning from ear to ear. Sure, we put pillows on the floor all around the horse, but not one time did she fall. She didn't even waver, that I ever saw--and believe me, I watched her like a hawk.

I think maybe this tendency to be totally unwavering was there because she was not afraid. Not at all. I don't even think she realized she should be! It's like she never got the "fear" memo. And without fear on the table, she rode with joy and abandon. It was amazing to see.

For us as followers of Jesus Christ, it goes beyond not realizing you should be afraid, like a tiny 11-month old should be when they're riding a horse standing up.

We are commanded not to fear.

When we live to pursue the Kingdom of God, we are not supposed to be afraid, and are in fact commanded not to be. As we invest and build and speak and minister to others and wait upon Him, we are not to have a spirit of timidity, but the one of boldness we've been given in His name. And when we really get onboard with this idea, that's when we can ride without the fear of falling.

It's a family peacefully waiting for the provision of a job.

It's a couple who leaves their comfort zone to go minister to people half a world away.

It's writing the tithe check when money is already tight.

When we're called to do the things of God, we are enabled--by God--to do the things of God.

So pretend you never got the "fear" memo; It's not from God, anyway. Act like gravity doesn't apply to you. Ride with abandon.

So rather than asking what you would do if you didn't know you were supposed to be afraid...

What will you do since you know you are not supposed to be afraid?

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

JOSHUA 1:9