Each week during our fall pledge campaign [Sep 30-Nov 18] I reflect on a different aspect of love, guided by Scripture and quotations from literature or from prominent figures in history.

The bible has a great deal to say about love, and also much to say about fear. “Fear not!” is what angels of the Lord typically say when they show up and startle the daylights out of people. In some texts, the Bible links love and fear together: The First Letter of John (4:18) says “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” The Second Letter of Timothy (1:7) says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Scientists are beginning to think that love and fear are actually two sides of the same coin. Both emotions are fueled by the hormone oxytocin in the brain: one researcher found that not only do oxytocin levels rise when the subject feels love; they also rise when the subject is exposed to social stress. [1] When it comes to matters of survival, fear is a helpful emotion. But getting stuck in a place of fearfulness is not at all helpful to our well-being.

Fear can isolate us from people who are unlike us, paralyzing us with “what-ifs”. Fear can shape our politics, our daily habits, and the trajectory of our lives. If living in fear is living in a state of “what-ifs” then perhaps living in love is living in a state of “what is” or “what can be”. When we live in fear, God feels far away—too distant and disinterested to help us. In truth, God is as close to us as our own breath, and God waits patiently for us to ask for his help in dislodging us when we feel mired in fear. God wants more for us than to have us live in fear. As the 14^th century Persian poet, Hafiz wrote, “Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions.” [2]

Consider that the closer we draw to God the more we are able to tip the balance between fear and love and live more in the latter. By ourselves we can’t do this; it is necessary to engage God as our partner in this psychological and spiritual arm-wrestling match. I appreciate the writing of author Julia Cameron in her book “Answered Prayers: Love Letters from the Divine”. Each “letter” is in the first person, as if God the divine self-had penned it, sealed it, stamped and mailed it to us. Cameron’s book includes a number of letters that deal with fear. For me they offer a beautiful interplay with some of the psalm texts in Hebrew Scripture:

“You fear your future. Why? I will be there. I will lead you step-by-step as I lead you now—when you allow me. Wake with me in the mornings. Place your days in my care. Allow me to shepherd you. Permit me to be your guide. I am with you always. Allow me to act on your behalf. The world is not too worldly for me. I have the skills to manage your affairs. Simply come to me. Bring me your problems and your goals. I have the power to move mountains. I can make straight your paths.” [3]

Psalm 23: The psalmist says the Lord is my shepherd; I shall want for nothing. He leads me to green pastures and guides me to still waters.

“…you imagine you are alone. This is never true. When you wake up, I am there. My hands are ready to hold your day. Place your worries in my care. There is nothing too large or too small for me. I am ready to hold it all. I am waiting for you. I am patient. It grieves me that you wake up frightened. I feel your fear and long to ease your pain. You are beloved. I do not care to see you suffer.” [4]

Psalm 31:15: The psalmist says to God: my times are in your hand.

“You fall asleep frightened. This hurts my heart. I long to comfort you. I long to hold you in my arms, cradled serene and safe. I want you to fall asleep laughing, to sleep with a smile on your lips. I will guard you while you rest. I will protect you as you dream. You do not need to be vigilant. I am your protector. I cherish you. The night holds no threat for me. I welcome its blackness and its calm. I planned the night. It is intended to comfort you. The stars watch over you as you sleep. The moon keeps an eye on you. You are not alone. You are well-guarded.” [5]

Psalm 121:3-5: The psalmist says “[God] will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand.” And in Psalm 139:12 the psalmist says: “Even the darkness is not dark to you [God]; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”

Whether we turn to ancient texts or modern—or draw inspiration from both—the message is clear: God is imminent, attentive, compassionate, and desires to take an active role in helping to assure our well-being. We were not created to live in fear but to flourish in love. If we consider church as a school for learning how to be better at loving ourselves, others, Creation, and God, then the purpose of church is to help our lives flourish and in so doing to bring glory to the Holy One who made us for love.

[1] https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/07/25/science-proves-love-and-fear-are-two-sides-of-the-same-thing

[2] https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/68830-fear-is-the-cheapest-room-in-the-house-i-would

[3] Answered Prayers: Love Letters from the Divine, New York: Penguin Books, 2004, 19.

[4] Ibid, 6.

[5] Ibid, 13.