Fear Fighters 2

So how do we fight fear? We are called to be obedient in love, however, obedience is a hard road, especially when the consequences many times are embarrassment, shame, hurt, anger and betrayal. How do we give when we feel we don’t have enough, how do we love those that seem to only give us hate in return? How do we turn a cheek and offer the other to the very one that has attacked us? How do we offer to go a second mile to the one who never appreciates the first one? " 

I was recently moved in ways I cannot define after watching a particular scene from the movie Les Miserables. Jean Valjean, the main character, is a hardened criminal looking for food, when he comes to the door of a humble Bishop. Although he just asks for food the Bishop invites him in as his guest for the evening which includes dinner with his finest silver as well as a warm bed.

When the authorities show up the next day with a shameful Jean Valjean bearing stolen silver, the Bishop scandalously responds in love. Not only does he confirm that Jean Valjean is innocent of stealing his silver, he sternly reprimands him for not taking the valuable candlesticks as well. The dumbfounded police unshackle their now innocent prisoner and slip away as a bewildered Jean Valjean addresses his victim.

Jean Valjean: .... Wha, Why are you doing this?
Bishop: Jean Valjean my brother you no longer belong to evil. With this silver, I have bought your soul. I've ransomed you from fear and hatred, and now I give you back to God.

Wow! This is love that is beyond all understanding. I confess that there have been times when I was the bishop, yet I did not act as graciously. There are also those times when I was the criminal and the loving hands of God have intervened. This scene, as do countless ones from the Bible, confirm how little I am willing to trust God and how often I look at my own circumstances and misfortunes instead of seeing the glaring needs of others. However, God still calls us sinners to love even when it does not seem logical or appropriate. 

I believe it is in these moments of obedience and trust that we experience God’s love in degrees that are far beyond our limited measure. It is also in these moments that we are confronted with the sacrifice Christ gave to the very ones who betrayed, tortured, rejected and insulted him. We are all thieves...yet he loves us and gave completely. It is this love that sets us free from our own prisons of fear and shame. It is also what gives us hope in turning the rejections and hatred of others into opportunities of healing, restoration and joy.

These are thoughts and writings from Outpost 17...I hope that this gives you a moment to pause and seek your Father who loves you.