Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in 1849.  She immediately became involved in the abolitionist movement, organizing meetings, speaking against slavery, and other efforts to alleviate the oppressive chattel slavery industry.

         But that wasn’t enough for Tubman.  She decided to return to the South secretly and deliver other slaves to freedom.  It was a great risk, because if she had been caught, she would have certainly been thrown back into slavery — or killed as an example to other potential runaways.

         But not only did she return to the South that one time, she returned 19 times to rescue some 300 fellow slaves.  Each trip became more risky as slave catchers were on the alert for her.  But each time she embarked upon the journey, and each time — with God’s help she confessed — she evaded authorities.

         We are often detached from the courage it takes to accomplish great things even though fear is at hand.  And yet, even when fear has encroached upon our lives, we can face those times knowing that “with God’s help”, we can overcome our fears and accomplish great things in life.  Harriet Tubman’s courage was amplified by her courage to live and love even in the midst of her fear.  I cannot say that her fear was eliminated.  But it is clear that her faith in God and what she was doing allowed her to put her fear in the rearview mirror and to proceed to help others to reach freedom.  Only the ability to live and love courageously by faith could free Harriet Tubman to do what she did.

• What risks have you failed to take because of your fear?
• What risks would you be willing to take to live and love courageously knowing that you had God’s help?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Gracious God, grant that I might develop through my faith to take great risks by living and loving courageously in Your name.

         One of the most memorable statements about how fear paralyzes and stunts the ability of men and women to achieve great things was made by the late President Theodore Roosevelt.  He said:

“It is not the critic who counts, not the person who points out where the doer of deeds could have done better.  The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the devotions, and spends himself or herself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his or her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”[1]

Of course, what he’s referring to is the courage it takes to live and love life boldly.  That kind of living can only be lived when fear has not shackled us to the fencepost of inaction.  His comment actually parrots Paul’s statement to Timothy that the Spirit God gave us is far removed from being timid.  But to the contrary, the Spirit of God frees us to live and love courageously, acknowledging that we may get hurt because our love is not returned, or our lives may resentful because we choose to live freely within the power of God’s Spirit.  But we have a commission to live our lives courageously and to love courageously that God might be glorified by our living and loving.  But before any of that is possible, our fear must be submitted to the power of God so that our faith might prevail in our lives.

• What fears to you have that are preventing you from living and loving courageously?
• How might your life change if you allowed your faith and God’s Spirit of power to override any fears you have to live and love courageously?

[1] Theodore Roosevelt

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Almighty God, help me to harness the power of freedom to live and love courageously that Your name may be glorified.

         We know Christ to be a man of peace.  There is not recorded one even where he used violence against anyone.  There are no events recorded where he threatened anyone.  And yet, it seems that when people are confronted with his presence, there seems to be an overwhelming sense of fear.  Now, in the case of this Scripture, perhaps they were afraid because in their minds, Jesus was supposed to be dead and buried.  He was supposed be among those whom we would never see again.  I can imagine that would be a startling situation.  But more than the fear is the impact the fear has on those with whom Christ finds his presence.  Whatever they are doing stops — comes to a complete halt.  I wonder if that is the impact of fear on all of us.  When we find ourselves startled or afraid, we freeze — our efforts and actions come to a complete halt.  Now, our stopping may only be for a moment.  But how long does it take for living to cease?  How long does it take after life stops before we can start living again — free from the fears that caused us to stop?  I believe that Jesus in his presence offers peace so that our living and loving may continue.  And this is not a peace that is absent of conflict.  This is a peace that is filled with love and acceptance.  It’s when we feel loved and accepted that we are at our most free to live and love.  We are at our most powerful to live without the fear that those who would stop us want us to experience.  Those who would stop us know the power of fear to “interfere” with our living.  Jesus knows the power of peace — a life lived without fear — to enable us to experience the presence and power of God without limitations.

• How do you believe your life would change if fear didn’t prevent you from doing the things that bring God’s peace and joy?
• What feelings would you experience if you recognized Christ in your presence without being announced?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
God of Peace and mercy, grant that I may find peace in Your presence and not fear. Grant me thee courage to eliminate my fear that Your peace may prevail in my life.