“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” John 20:21 NLT
Jesus said these words just after his resurrection, appearing to his disciples who were meeting behind locked doors, fearful of the religious leaders who had conspired to put Jesus to death! At this point fear ruled their actions, but Jesus was showing them that He was alive, that His presence brings peace and that He was sending them on the same mission He had been sent on, to seek and save the lost, with love as their driving force, laying down their lives in the same way that He had! How daunting must that have felt? But filled with the Holy Spirit they went and changed the world!! It always feels scary to step out in faith and share our faith, talking about Jesus, knowing there is opposition and potential persecution to be encountered. But Jesus IS still alive, He IS still present with us and the mission IS worth it to reach just one more lost, hurting, broken person with the life transforming power of the gospel! Let’s not allow fear to rule our decisions. Lord, fill me with Your Spirit, stir my heart to action and as I open my mouth give me Your words of eternal life to share with the people I am connected to today. Amen 🙏🏼💪🏼