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The
highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity,
choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over
popularity.
Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for THERE IS
NEVER A WRONG TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
-
Bishop Soc Villegas
25 July 2007
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THE WAY FORWARD IN CHRIST
(Part 29)
WHO IS AFRAID OF JOB?
One reads the book of Job and is struck by the great affliction that
befell Job. For us in CFC-FFL, having experienced severe lamentations in
2007, with our theme for that year coming from the book of Lamentations,
one might feel threatened by our theme book for this year. Our
continuing talk of suffering may cause one to truly be afraid. What is
in store for us this year?
What is in store for us? Blessings! “We know that all things work for
good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
(Rom 8:28). There are two conditions for all things to work for our
good. One, that we love God. Indeed we do, even if we still have to
learn what it means to truly love God with our whole heart, mind, soul
and strength. Two, that we are called according to His purpose. God
indeed raised CFC in 1981 to use us as His instruments for the work of
His kingdom on earth. God blessed us for so many years. In 2007, God
restored us to our authentic charism. So we can say that indeed we are
where He wants us, called according to His purpose.
“What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against
us?” (Rom 8:31). Well, for starters, there is Satan. He is violently
opposed to our work. Then there is a world that is steeped in sin and
darkness. Those in the world will oppose those who will convict them of
their ungodly ways. Our pro-life work, for one, will bring us into the
focused gunsights of many evil forces. Then there are even those
so-called Christians who are the enemy within.
So many will be against us. It comes with the territory. But what Paul
is saying is that if we have God on our side, then there is nothing to
be afraid of. God has already proven His great love for us and His
commitment to our redemption. He will see His work to completion. “He
who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will
he not also give us everything else along with him?” (Rom 8:32).
Here then is the difference. One can have cause for fear, but one must
not be afraid. One can have the reaction of fear, which is a God-given
and therefore good emotion, but one must not have the response of being
afraid. With Jesus by our side, we have nothing to fear. God is more
powerful than Satan. And God is committed to our well-being.
Looking at another situation might help. When a loved one dies, we
grieve. That is proper. But in spite of the loss, we can rejoice, as our
loved one will be beyond pain or tears, and can now enter into his
eternal reward.
So grief and fear come because of the world we live in. But joy and not
being afraid come because of the Lord we believe in.
Be not afraid!
God prepared us for 2010 with our theme for 2009. We are to trust in
Jesus.
It is interesting that we look on the opposite of fear as courage. We
try to encourage one who is afraid. But where does such courage come
from? Or on whom is such courage based? It is God. Here is what David
says: “Though an army encamp against me, my heart does not fear;
though war be waged against me, even then do I trust.” (Ps 27:3). The
opposite of fear is not courage; the opposite of fear is trust.
It is also interesting when we compare what happened to Job and what
David said in the psalm. The second test of Job was a severe physical
affliction. His situation was such that even his wife told him to curse
God and die. In turn, here is what David said: “When evildoers come at
me to devour my flesh” (Ps 27:2a). Still he was not afraid. Why?
Because he knew the kind of God who loved him. Thus he confidently
averred: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The
Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom am I afraid?” (Ps 27:1).
Now this is why we focus first of all on God the Almighty. He is the
reason why we need not be afraid. And we know that He is a just and
righteous God. If we do what we are supposed to do, if we become what we
are supposed to become, then God the Almighty is there for us.
We keep focused on Christ. We see the Savior and Lord who will bring us
to our eternal reward. “One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: to
dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, to gaze on the
Lord’s beauty, to visit his temple.” (Ps 27:4).
We trust in and rely on the Holy Spirit. We look to His guidance,
anointing and empowerment, especially in times of difficulty and
challenge. “For God will hide me in his shelter in time of trouble,
will conceal me in the cover of his tent; and set me high upon a
rock.” (Ps 27:5).
We worship the Father with great joy. The Father protects and blesses
His children. “Even now my head is held high above my enemies on very
side! I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will
sing and chant praise to the Lord.” (Ps 27:6).
What else is there to say? Be not afraid.
(January 20, 2010)
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