3.22.23 - 1 John 4:18
How simple and how hard it is to turn toward someone outside our circle. How might your day be different if you make this choice today?
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.
This is a familiar, often-quoted scripture, so it is easy to gloss over. It can feel sugary and overly-simplified.
I worry and am afraid a lot, and I don’t know if this verse explains all of my fears in the world. However, this verse does remind me of what I see happening in our world and church communities.
How our society stirs up fear across differences, and how I easily can fall into those fears without a thought instead of engaging and loving people.
This pattern is how our religious spaces become so segregated. This is how our society passes bans on trans people and drag queens in order to “save the children.”
I have a spiritual practice of noticing when I have a gut, instantaneous fear or repulsion toward someone. When I notice this response, I choose to turn away from my fear and turn toward the person instead.
What are the moments where you respond in fear? Where are the growth edges?
Who are the people on the margins that are missing from your community and how could you build a relationship of love and care with them?
Look for that one moment today when you have an opportunity to turn toward someone and make the choice to do so.
--Theo Isoz
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