“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear….” (1 John 4:18)
If you grew up in the ‘80s, you remember the TV show America’s Most Wanted. John Walsh, the host and creator, started the show after his son, Adam, was murdered. Each week the show depicted a child abduction or murder. Milk cartons soon came with pictures of missing children on them.
Americans believed there was a national epidemic of violence against children.
Statistically, though, child abductions were no greater in the ‘80s than any time before. But with all the national attention, parents became worried, imagining predators lurking around every corner. Children ate cereal every morning, looking at the milk, thinking, “I could be next.”
And the era of “safetyism” had begun. Parenting became largely fear-based. And otherwise confident and secure kids grew up to be worried, fearful adults.
Those fearful children now run the world. Their decisions all seem to stem from the same question: “Is it safe?” “How can we protect ourselves from this or that?”
As a husband, father, and now grandfather, I’m all for safety. With my numerous recent accidents, I should probably think more about it. But I don’t want to live or work from a motivation of fear.
The Bible mentions fear 500 times. The Bible commands “fear not” 365 times. That’s one “fear not” for every day of the week, for every month of the year!
I think the Lord’s trying to tell us something.
See you Sunday!
