Fearless Sparrows

S - Matthew 10:24-31 (NLT): ""A student is not greater than the teacher. A servant is not greater than the master. The student shares the teacher's fate. The servant shares the master's fate. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, how much more will it happen to you, the members of the household! But don't be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ears, shout from the housetops for all to hear! "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows."

O - Sparrows capture the Father's attention on a planet where people are considered "throwaways". Frankly, Jesus was considered a throwaway by both the religious and political leaders of his day; and many "ordinary folks" agreed with them. Jesus' point is unmistakably clear: they will call you names, they will even kill your body but they cannot kill your soul. Their voices will cease for all die and since all die so will your body. However, the one who trusts, obeys, believes, speaks and stays true to Jesus will in fact never live or die to regret it. There are many sources of the fear which disable ones eternal future and only one source of fear which is life-giving here and hereafter. A part of the growth pattern for those who follow Jesus is to embrace the fear of the Lord (the wholesome dread of being disconnected from the One who loves us) and to refuse ALL other fears. Wise as snakes, harmless as doves, sheep needing a shepherd and sparrows who are fearless; the only real life on this side is all about life on the other side. Lose your life and find it -- keep it and lose it all. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.

A - Worry gives way to fear and fear certainly inspires and sustains worry and both are directly forbidden by Jesus. I woke up last night once from a fearful dream and another time from worries. Neither were beneficial and both were toxic. I don't think Jesus is saying that we'll never feel afraid or have worry shove itself into our thoughts, emotions and worldview but rather that such exchanges are to be recognized for what they are, repelled based upon his instruction and refused because of his presence. This of course is easier to say than to do but it is very doable. Weakly and imperfectly I am training in this way. Having faced so many of these sources (and having faced them successfully) I would have thought that I would be better at it by now. However, new circumstances can create new opportunities for old enemies; and we're never too old to be afraid. In a throwaway world Jesus does not promise that all circumstances will be pleasant or conclude the way we wish. He does promise that all circumstances will be worked by him for good and that in the real end, we will live happily ever after. I need to start each day with heaven's opening line for all humans: with God, everything is possible; and I will believe the truth that in the end … we actually will live happily ever after.

P - Lord God, Father, Savior, Friend, Master, Counselor, Warrior and Shepherd,

I want to be among your fearless sparrows. I admit, confess and repent of my many fears and worries. Today is the only day you ask me to believe you and to mix your promises with faith. Lord, I admit I'm so unsure of all that I should be doing. Don't leave me to myself and my well-intended conclusions. Rather, I beg, I pray that you will take me by the hand and show me what to do and what to say. Lord, I want more than a career, more than a well-crafted existence. I want YOU. I want to be in the flow of your life and the work of your spirit. See my confusion, my inabilities, my weaknesses and my strengths. Let me be among your friends since you are the friend of sinners. Let me find the way to bring you honor whether I live or die. Yes, Lord … you know everything. Yes, Lord I believe that you are able to do this. You know that I love you. I will do whatever you show me to do and whatever you "make me do" with faith, thankfulness and to the best of my limited ability. Even when my best is little and pathetic I promise to give it all to you!

This sparrow is in,

Steve