Everyday our thoughts stick a thorn in our peace as we constantly obsess over matters that don’t even exist…except in our minds. We have deep bouts of anxiety about all the “what ifs” in the unknown future. We question our lives. We compare ourselves to others on social media…a losing battle that will never be won. Human beings are filled with fear, anxiety and insecurity. We all hold hands on suffering…emotionally, mentally and physically. Some will wake up tomorrow to hear dreadful news from their doctor. Others will go to sleep tonight in tears from being cheated on. Many lose loved ones…unexpectedly. Suffering is as normal a part of life as the air we breathe.
Many suffer from horrible addictions that feel impossible to overcome. Rather it be pornography or a sinister drug, our lives are always only one puff, drink or click away from a deep dark hole. It ruins so many…a prison that can bring even the strongest individuals down. Independent of any “sin”, even the most radical atheists can see the destruction of addiction. It is part of reality, no matter your worldview.
Individuals, every day, wake up fearing what “might” happen, afraid of their abilities to get something done or supporting their families. People are afraid. Society is a collection of millions of people who are afraid. No matter how confident someone is, how much money they have, fear is always whispering to their consciousness. The mask people wear is taken off when they are alone. It is laid away until the next social media post or public appearance. No matter what, that mask is never forgotten as they walk out the door.
2000 years ago, on the sea of Galilee, a few good men doubted a God. They were filled with deep bouts of anxiety and fear as their boat tossed in the dark ocean. The storm they were under was causing even the most faithful men to scream in horror to their leader, who was sleeping. They fearfully yelled “Master, carest thou not that we perish? “In other words, the master they were so deeply invested in became nothing more than another human, in this moment. All the beautiful things Jesus did prior was completely ignored. In this moment, they looked at God in the face and doubted him. They doubted all he had told them. They doubted Their missions and their leaders’ missions. They chose fear over faith. Their faith was non-existent as they anxiously yelled for help. Ultimately, their minds totally forgot about the spirit he had gave them…it didn’t exist in their minds as the waves clashed against their boat.
As many of us know, Jesus woke up and stopped the nightmare around them. The disciples watched in shock as the clouds faded into a beautiful sky. He questioned why they doubted…like a disappointed parent.
Many could easily look at this story and shake their heads at the disciples. What was wrong with them? To actually be with Jesus and still doubt? How is that even possible? In our minds we think about how amazing it would be to see Jesus, to feel his hugs and walk with him…as if we somehow would be different than they were. As if we would react so differently. My friends, we are no different and we prove this almost daily. You prove it daily. I prove it daily. We are like a bunch of terrified disciples questioning God all the time…fearing what might happen. We say we have faith…while simultaneously fearing the unknown. We fear when we act on Gods words…considering all the terrible possibilities that could happen if it falls through. We fear of embarrassment. Of slander. We fear of physical pain and death. We fear of being cheated on. Our insecurities claw on our consciousness, never giving many a break. We try to control things we have no control over…as if thinking something enough can change reality. The list goes on and on.
I ask myself, if I were on that same boat 2000 years ago, what would I have done? Would I have stood strong and patiently waited in the corner as my friends woke Jesus? To say this bluntly: No. I can confirm with confidence that I would have been right there with the disciples. I would have been afraid as the boat rocked under the lightning and thunder. I would have been afraid and dreadfully anxious. How do I know this? Because I doubt God at times. My faith is far from whole. Even when I think my faith is strong, I realize in a moment’s notice it’s fragile as glass from my chaotic mind.
How often do we hold on, both hands still gripping, afraid to let go? How often do we say we have both feet in with Christ, but we actually have one still out “just in case?”
How often are people fearful to attack their addictions because it feels impossible? How often do we fear embarrassment from society, for Christ? How often are people harassed by their insecurity, telling themselves they are worthless? How often do people choose pleasures over God, rejecting the knowledge of a perfect being? That somehow, he might not come through, maybe sex, drugs, status and money actually is happiness? Maybe God isn’t real, I’m just not experiencing life fully. How often does this happen? If we are so confident in Jesus, he must ask us…”how is it that ye have no faith?”
JESUS THE CHRIST: HE IS REAL
I know Christ is real. He lives. He is my savior, he is yours. He is an atheist’s savior, if they so choose to accept him. He is the savior to every individual who has ever lived, who lives now and who will live. A perfect God came down to earth 2000 year ago to suffer the greatest pain imaginable to people who hated him and still do. The same people who spit on him and handed him vinegar to drink were the same people he loved beyond human comprehension. He was charity in the flesh…and is now charity on a throne. I don’t care who you are, how stupid and disgusting you feel, he loves you like an obsessed parent. All the horror in mankind, the suffering that is far too radical for our minds to grasp, is fully comprehendible to Christ, having felt every moment of fear and pain in human existence. All the horrible accidents, mental illness, executions, domestic abuse, bouts of profound embarrassment and social destruction…not a tear has been shed in all human existence which Jesus the Christ didn’t experience himself.
It’s time. If you read this far, I’m your push to just do it. You know Christ is real…so now you can let go. You have to act now. Put both feet in with Christ. Roll all your dice. Lay all your cards out in front of you, without question. Put your arms out wide and fall back. Stop questioning. Stop looking back.
To a heartbroken Jarius, whose daughter had just passed away…our savior pronounced,
“Be not afraid, only believe.”
He then proceeded to raise his daughter from the dead. What beautiful miracles await you?
He lives-
Jarom
NO ATTACHMENT IS FREEDOM 