Do not Fear

"Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth -- everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whim I formed and made." Isaiah 43: 5-7

Dear Members of the Parish,

We continue our journey in the Season of Epiphany, the Season of Light. As I said in my homily this past Sunday, God calls each of us by name. Over and over throughout the scriptures we are reassured of God's presence in our lives and in the life of the world. No matter how confusing or stressful our lives may be, we know that God will be there, walking beside us on our journey.

Over and over again we also hear the words, "Do not be afraid." God spoke these words to the people of Israel when they were in turmoil and crisis and Jesus spoke it many times to his disciples and the people he met during his ministry. The point is, if we can offer our fears up to God, it will lighten our burden. We all know how powerful it is to just speak out loud the things that are bothering us. Leaving them to churn around and around in our head only makes the fear and worry grow and they can keep us from living a life that God has in store for us -- a life of joy and peace and service to others.

If you are worried about something, take a moment out of your day and have a conversation with God. It doesn't have to be a formal prayer. It could be simple like, "God, I'm worried about ____. Help me to feel your presence in my life. Guide my steps today. Help me to turn my fears over to you and feel your amazing love surrounding me."

God is constantly inviting us into a relationship with him/her. Try to notice the ways that invitation is unfolding each day. Open your heart to the love that God is offering to you. And then live each day with a grateful heart.

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam