Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” And he laid his hands on them and went on his way. (Matthew 19:13-15)

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. Amen.
We often think of literal children when we hear of Jesus blessing the children. That is one layer of the story. The layer many of us forget is that Jesus has made us all God’s children.
One characteristic that children have that really scares adults is a lack of fear. Children learn to be frightened of the world around them. I have even taught (or at least tried to teach) a few to be more cautious of their surroundings – for example I prefer they be afraid of speeding vehicles on County Road 19 when riding their bikes near Zion.
Yet as much as fear can be a tool to protect us, we often let fear rule us. Sometimes we allow fear to undermine our trust in God. God has promised to protect us. Our fears try to drown out God’s voice of assurance. Fear tries to convince us that we should trust our fears more than God. Discerning the difference between God-given common sense and faith-inhibiting fear is not easy.
Recently at a conference, a speaker mentioned an activity she did with the congregation she served. They kept an ongoing list consisting of two columns: way of fear & way of God. Whenever they have a decision to make, they revisit the list. They intentionally give voice to both their fears and God’s promise as part of their discernment process. By candidly taking into consideration both their fear and their faith, they have found themselves freer to hear God’s voice. Naming their fears releases some of the hold those fears have over them. Naming God’s promise reminds them of the power of the Holy Spirit that is promised to them.
Perhaps you may find this approach helpful your own lives. When you face decisions, you can name both your fears and God’s promise. It may not make discernment less painful, but it will most likely move it forward faithfully. The grace and peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
In Christ,
Pastor Carla

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17)