As little kids we are taught the difference between right and wrong. We know that if we touch a hot stove, the consequence will be a burnt hand. We know if we walk out into the road, we may get hit by a car. There is fear associated because the consequence is dire.
Of course being punished by our parents is not unreasonable because the outcome could be terrible.
However, as kids when do we choose to be afraid?
I specifically remember being a petite, shy eight year old and really involved in dance. With no self-confidence and two left feet, it was pretty incredible that I was pursuing this. One evening after a dance rehearsal, I accidentally broke a toy gun we were using as a prop in one of our performances. I was terrified to tell our teacher, that for the following week I allowed fear to consume my eight year old brain. What if I get in trouble? What if I’m not allowed to dance anymore? I allowed these thoughts to overtake me, so much so that the night before my next rehearsal, I talked myself into feeling sick. The logic I had was, if I miss school then I wont have to go to dance.
Another instance is when I was tiny and I broke a plate. I ran out of our back door, into what I thought was a large, never ending garden and sat on our dainty swing set. The fear of punishment stopped me from going inside. With every kick my little legs made to motion the swing, I wished I could have gone back in time.
Being a couple of decades on, of course I look back with maturity and know these were just mistakes. Every time I was forgiven and could tell my worried self that it would be okay, we can learn from our mistakes. However, somehow, I had learnt hiding could be used a temporary coping skill. If I run away from this problem, I won’t have to deal with it. If I pretend it didn't happen, nobody will know.
Running away and hiding from a problem is even easier when we are not directly involved in the situation.
This brings me to the point I want to make. And if you have been reading any of my recent articles, you will know this is one I am passionate about.
When we turn on the news and hear of the latest devastation, attack or crisis, we can be intimidated by where the world is at. We can become numb to what is going on and forget our part to play, or even separate ourselves completely, wondering when the next attack will hit.
Alternatively, we can rejoice and thank God for where He is moving, even when we can’t see it. Matthew 28:18 says “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” and Jesus also says in John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works i have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” With this power literally spoken into our very being, who are we to let fear rule our lives and minds?
If we choose to switch off to all that is surrounding us, we are walking away from our responsibility to pray and fight for freedom to be shown on Earth. I don't want to be like the eight-year-old who ran away from a problem instead of being responsible and owning up for the mistake. I want to take the authority and show that we can be a world seeking for freedom on Earth.
What would the world look like if we all stood, prayed and chose freedom together?
Rebecca Bowie is a young Christian who is intentionally seeking after Gods heart and striving to love people with everything. Now living in Brisbane Australia, was formerly living in London, England. She's a full-time volunteer at Youth with a Mission.
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