Even if not officially clinically diagnosed, many people have phobias – fears – of a variety of things, some of which may be more rational than others. Fear of heights. Fear of spiders. Fear of enclosed spaces. Fear of social interaction. You could add many to the list and probably share some entertaining stories about the phobias we have.
Phobias aren’t the only types of fear we face. Fear also surfaces when what matters to us is threatened. Think about it. Two weeks ago in this series I began with the phrase, “I don’t care,” and we considered the different ways we use that phrase, and how it has no place when it comes to meaningful ministry. If we revisit that phrase and think about the different times we speak it, almost 100% of the time we’re referring to scenarios that involve little to no fear. Because if you don’t care about something, then you have nothing to be afraid of no matter how it turns out. If you don’t care whether or not you get into the college you applied to or hired at the job you applied for, then you’re not afraid to hear back, regardless of what the answer is. If you don’t care about your last doctor appointment possibly revealing a sickness or other health issue, then you’re not afraid when you get the call back from the hospital with the results. No, when we don’t care, neither do we fear.
But it’s quite different when we do care. That’s when fear settles in. If I have to get into this specific college or get hired by this particular company, then I start to get a little afraid the longer I have to wait to hear back. My fears lead me to conclude the worst in my mind. If I’ve been experience specific symptoms and am concerned about a possible diagnoses, I am afraid of getting the message the results are available and the doctor would like to set up a follow up appointment. When things matter to us, fear over certain possible outcomes creeps in.
Since meaningful ministry matters, it is a likely candidate for experiencing fear. In fact, if we briefly revisit each post throughout this series, we see many reasons to be afraid. Surviving Snubbed Service (fear of rejection), our ministry is from God (which should give us confidence, but also raises the bar to the highest level possible when considering the importance of our ministry!), care and compassion (fear of stepping outside of our comfort zone or just not caring enough), meeting others’ needs with our own resources (fear of the sacrifices we have to make) – there’s much at stake here, and therefore reason to be afraid as we carry out ministry.
Of course we can avoid that fear… by simply avoiding the personal and congregational ministry opportunities right under our noses. We can withdraw. We can disengage. We can let others do the work. We can resort to the consumer mentality that approaches faith and my church as a place to get rather than a place to give. We can take any of these approaches and probably save ourselves from facing a lot of the fear involved in meaningful ministry.
Just beware that the description of the disciples given by Mark might also apply to any believer disinterested in ministry or seeking to avoid it: “they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened” (v.52). While their lack of understanding and faith was not being equated with unbelief, the observation was indicating that their faith had plenty of room to grow.
If you think that ministry is an optional thing for the Christian, it would be wise for you to revisit what you think Christianity is all about. Ministry isn’t optional, and it certainly is not to be avoided because of fear, for faith without works is dead. Workless faith is a sham, because saving faith in Jesus Christ prompts gospel-geared, Savior-like service. Not even fear itself can get in the way!
The disciples were embarking on the next stage of their ministry. The thousands had been satisfied with such a feast of fish and bread that they couldn’t even finish it all. Now Jesus had sent them on their way ahead of them while he worked on sending off the crowd. Following that, Jesus spent time with his Father in prayer, and then was ready to meet up again with his disciples. They had taken a boat across the water, but Jesus, being Jesus, decided it would just be easier to walk across the lake rather than going through the hassle of securing another boat.
Mark describes it somewhat curiously. “Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified” (v.48b-50). Mark tells us that Jesus was about to pass by the disciples. If they had not noticed them, would Jesus have simply continued his stroll on the sea while they struggled and strained to row against the wind? Was Jesus waiting for them to notice him and in confident trust, petition him to lend them a hand in some way, miraculous or otherwise? We do not know the answer, because the disciples did see Jesus, and thinking he was a ghost or an apparition, they were afraid.
We shouldn’t be surprised by their fear. The whole Bible is a collection of fear-filled followers needing to be calmed in the face of their fears. When we look at the number of times the Lord either directly or indirectly through one of his messengers needs to reassure his people not to be afraid throughout Scripture, we see just how prevalent fear is. It’s a part of human nature ever since Adam and Eve hid in the garden out of fear after having disobeyed God. The Old Testament is littered with the general repetition, “Do not be afraid.” The New Testament adds to it. Zechariah was told not to be afraid when he got the birth announcement of his own son. Joseph was told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, as was Mary when she was told she’d bear the Savior. The angels told the shepherds not to be afraid on the night Jesus was born. The disciples were told not to be afraid on numerous occasions. Jesus taught and preached about not being afraid. The inner circle was told not to be afraid at Jesus’ Transfiguration. The believers were told not to be afraid during multiple resurrection appearances. Over and over and over again God needs to repeat himself: do not fear.
So again here in the boat. “Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down” (v.50-51). Even more surprising than the persistence of fear from God’s people throughout Scripture is the persistence on the part of God to calm it. As Jesus did, we try to allay the fears of others by reassuring them with words like “Everything’s going to be OK” or “Don’t be afraid, nothing bad is going to happen.”
The only problem is that we have zero power to back up such wishful thinking. We can’t guarantee everything’s going to be OK or keep bad things from happening. That’s why others often find only a limited comfort in our words, no matter how well-intentioned they may be.
But God’s words carry weight, because God’s words carry God’s backing. We can repeat Jesus’ words to others, “Take courage!” and “Don’t be afraid,” but only he can make the claim that matters most: “It is I.” Those are the words that matter, because God is the One who can do something about it. A child knows the feelings of safety and security when dad is around. When dad is nearby and able reassure a frightened child with a version of “It is I,” that child is calmed down. But, as that child grows up and realizes that dad isn’t actually a superhero, those words later on aren’t able to carry the same weight.
But God’s words carry weight, because God’s words carry God’s backing. God’s words are backed up by action. God’s words are not just empty filler. So when God says “It is I,” it is the One who has the power to still hurricanes and snuff out raging wildfires. He is the One who swallowed a powerhouse Egyptian enemy with Red Sea and wiped out an entire Assyrian army overnight. The One present is he who cures debilitating disease and breathes life back into the dead.
Yes, the One who came back from the dead himself is present. He was always present. He is always present. He always will be present. “It is I,” coming from his lips causes fear itself to be afraid! It cannot help but cower in his presence, for he removed every ounce of power that fear held over us.
Satan’s temptations? I can stand up to them, for what do I have to fear? Satan’s accusations? I can direct him to exhibits A and B, the cross and tomb, and show him what Jesus Christ has done with his accusations and my sin. Fear of guilt, shame, or embarrassment? I can claim my identity as God’s child, which buoys me up above all the worst I can imagine. Fear of ridicule or rejection? I consider the source and care little. Fear of death itself? Pssshhh. “It is I,” says the Lord, and he says it to me. And to you. With his promise, we step over fear as if we hardly even noticed it, and in bold courage carry out ministry fearlessly.
You and I are called to carry out fearless ministry. We do it together because we know that we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Let others say of us, “I don’t know if I could have done that, but I am not surprised that those believers at Shepherd of the Hills did it – they’re fearless. They’re not afraid of anything.” Let us be unafraid to step out and try new things for the sake of the gospel and the souls at stake, as we did for five years with The Way. While that ministry effort discontinued, its fruit remains. Which is better, to fearlessly fail forward for the kingdom by seizing opportunities or to comfortably play it safe as myriad ministry opportunities pass us by? We have nothing to fear – “It is I” is right here, wherever and whenever we lead with his Word and promises. Fear not – his Word has always been the source of his work, and it will continue to be. So long as we hold that out before us, we can courageously and confidently carry out fearless ministry. Don’t be afraid to be a part of it!