Confronting Our Fears

Scripture – Luke 19:20-21 (NRSV)

Then the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.”

Devotion

Today’s devotion is based on a familiar parable of Jesus, though Matthew’s version of this “Parable of the Talents” is more well-known (Matthew 25:14-30). The basic plot begins with a man who, when he went on a journey, entrusted various amounts of money to his slaves. He told them plainly to “Do business with these until I come back” (Luke 19:13).

When the master returned, he received a report from slaves about what they did with his money. Two of the slaves impressed the man with a significant return on his investment. These slaves were rewarded with significant authority in the master’s domain.

But one of the slaves returned to the master only what he had originally given to that slave. The slave explained that it wrapped it up for safe keeping, saying, “I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow” (Luke 19:21). The master rebuked the man for not following the directions he had been given, taking the money from the slave and giving it to one of those who had been faithful.

Luke’s version of this story includes many curious and challenging details that I don’t have time to explore here. But the basic story is clear, as are several implications. I want to focus on one here because it’s something to which I can relate personally. Perhaps you can too.

I’m talking about what held back the third slave from doing what his master had told him to do. Why didn’t he “do business” with what had been entrusted to him? We don’t have to guess at an answer to this question because Jesus has the slave explain his motivation. “I was afraid of you,” he said. Fear held him back. His fear was based on his perception of his master as harsh and exploitative. Whether that was a fair evaluation of the master we don’t know. What we do know is that fear kept the slave from being faithful to what had been entrusted to him. Fear kept him from doing what his master told him to do.

When I think of my own stewardship of what God has entrusted to me, I know there are times I let fear hold me back from faithful obedience. I think of times when I sense in my heart that God wants me to reach out to someone in love, but I decline because I’m afraid of how that person might react. Or I remember occasions when I knew that God was calling me to something risky, but I let my fear get the better of me. In my head I knew that God would be faithful, but my heart was governed by doubts.

All of us have fears, and some of these may be sensible. But when I allow my fear to get in the way of obeying God, when I’m afraid that God won’t help me so I fail to heed his instruction, then I have allowed fear to keep me from serving God will all that I have and all that I am. Not only does my inaction fail to honor God, but also it keeps me from experiencing the fullness of abundant life in God’s kingdom.

As we follow Jesus through the season of Lent, may God help us to see our fears clearly, to confess them honestly, and to confront them faithfully. May we be set free from all that keeps us from living each day under God’s gracious reign. Remember these words from 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”

Reflect

Can you think of a time (or several times) in your life when you sensed God calling you to something but turned away because of fear? If so, what happened?

When it comes to obeying God, what fears do you struggle with?

Can you think of a time when you were afraid and considered turning away from God’s command but found God’s strength to help you confront and overcome your fear?

Act

Set aside some moments for reflection and, if you prefer, journaling. Ask the Lord to show you the fears that hold you back in your discipleship. As you note these fears, offer them to the Lord, asking for the freedom that the Holy Spirit gives.

Pray

Lord Jesus, when I reflect on today’s parable from Luke, I’m reminded of how I can be like the third slave. I can let fear keep me from obeying you. My fear is not exactly like that of the slave, since I don’t believe you are harsh or exploitative. But I can be afraid of what others might think of me. Or I might be afraid of failure. Or, to be fully honest, I sometimes fear that if I take a risk for you, you won’t be there to back me up.

Help me, I pray, to see my fears, to confront them, and to give them over to you. May I become unbound, able to serve you with all that I have and all that I am. When I’m afraid, Lord, may I turn to you rather than away from you.

In this season of Lent, as I am honest about my fears, I ask that you set me free from all that hinders my discipleship. May I follow you, Lord, unreservedly. Amen.

P.S. from Mark

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Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Commentary on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Risk: The Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27)