How much of our fretting, faithlessness, and failure is driven by fear? We are not the kind to admit we are particularly fearful, but what we attempt to hide shows up in our actions, our attitudes, and our ambitions. It is the fear of securing our identity, of mattering, of being esteemed by others, of making a name for ourselves, of impressing one another. We live with our identities constantly in flux. The ebb and flow of "who I am" too often determined by "where" I am, amongst who I am, and what role I am currently playing. That flux keeps us fearful, dreading the possibility that at the end of our lives we won't have been able to secure ourselves over and against the identities of others. We fear that we will not be known, that we won't be remembered, that our simple lot will be forgotten amongst all the other fearful no-name identities. This fear drives us to competition with with one another, by it we measure ourselves against one another. It makes every issue we face an obstacle to our "becoming" instead of an integral part of our "becoming." Because of this fear we are driven to seek praise, be affirmed, and climb above one another in endless pursuit to be known. This fear is limiting because we can't see beyond ourselves.
But Jesus already knew! John 13 is perhaps one of the greatest miracles in the Scriptures for me. John 13 is the passage of Scripture where Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. How can that be one of the greatest miracles when measured against the feeding of five thousand, turning water into wine, restoring sight to the blind, or calling the dead man Lazarus out of the tomb? In my experience, anyone who gives up their place of prominence, anytime someone moves to the role of servant with little regard for themselves, how this will affect their social status, or what they might get in return, that's a miracle!!! By demonstrating servanthood, Jesus performs a miracle. But that's because He already knew!
Right before he grabs for the basin and the towel, we are told that "he knew the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father." It also tells us he already knew, "the Father had put all things under his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God." We are even told that he knew "who was going to betray him." Jesus knew where he'd come from. Jesus knew who He was in the sight of the Father. Jesus knew who had secured His future. That knowledge freed him to be fully present in love and service to others. Remember throughout the story, Jesus didn't pander to the masses for applause. Their affirmation didn't secure his identity. He already knew who he was! The threats of others and problems he faced didn't frighten him or threaten the legacy he'd leave. He already knew who had secured His future. By knowing, Jesus was free to give himself away. By knowing, Jesus didn't need to secure his identity. It was already secure.
What if you knew? How might that change your life? I am convinced the people of God should not be captive by fear or driven by fretting because in Christ we have come to know where we come from, who we are, and who has already secured our future. We needn't measure our lives against one another or desperately act out in attempt to be recognized, seen, or affirmed. No! It is enough! It is enough to know that we've come from the creative purposes of God, that we are children of the Father and siblings to the Savior, and that what we become is secure in the hands of the One that holds the future. In knowing, we are free to give ourselves away to others, to serve, to make a difference, with little regard for ourselves and what we might get in return. In knowing, there is No Fear! In knowing, WE ARE FREE!
No comments:
Post a Comment