Don't Be Afraid
I am prone to anxiety. It’s comforting to me how many times God, angels, and prophets say “don’t be afraid” throughout the Bible. When I read those words, I realize I’m not alone in my tendency to fear, and I am comforted that God cares about my anxious heart.
It was my last year of seminary, and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do upon graduation. As I was walking the familiar path to school one morning, God and I talked as we usually did on those ambling mornings. I confessed how my anxiety exposed my lack of trust that God had my back, would show me the way, open a door, prepare a path for me after seminary. As I named my distrust, I felt deep in my spirit that stirring of God gently saying, “Have I ever let you down?”, and I had to smile. “No, God, you have shown up in the most difficult and anxious times. It hasn’t always been what I wanted it to be, but you’ve always been there.”
As we continued up the hill past my favorite weeping willow and the park with the neighborhood cat, I mused that I should choose a symbol to remind me of God’s faithfulness. Like Noah who knew God’s faithfulness every time he lifted his eyes to see a rainbow in the sky, I should have something to remind me “don’t be afraid; I’ve got you”.
To my delight, there by the bushes was a small rabbit which dashed into the hedge as I approached. I thought “Rabbits! Rabbits will be my reminder of God’s faithfulness.” It was a somewhat rare treat that I would see the rabbits on my way to school, and I was delighted at the thought of random occasions to be reminded that God was near. I knew God would send the rabbits on those anxious days.
Well, a week went by and I realized something. There were rabbits EVERYWHERE! Yard ornaments, signs, t-shirts, stationary, pictures, the strangest places. Everywhere I looked, there were rabbits. I was walking to school again, and I told God, “I need a new symbol to remind me of your faithfulness; something rare and special…”. To this, I received an immediate stir in my spirit that said, “MY FAITHFULNESS IS AS PROLIFIC AS RABBITS; IT’S ALL AROUND YOU, LORI.”
I laughed aloud. God’s faithfulness is not rare. It’s not reserved for desperate moments. God’s faithful care and provision is abundant and ever present.
May you know this day and every day that there is no need to fear. God’s got you, and God’s faithfulness multiplies faster than rabbits in the spring.