The Folly of Fear

I danced. My limbs sung out joy and adoration as my tongue danced in the cathedral of my mouth. With eyes closed I could finally see, and I moved freely without fear of anything that might obstruct my path. For a moment I was praise personified, but it was not myself who was the author of this image. In my surrender, the Creator of my innermost being had enveloped me in His Spirit. The One who knows me better than I know myself was moving through me for His glory. I kicked off my shoes, for this was holy ground. These are the treasures God has for His children.

This was my experience at the first night of Ammunition, A youth conference which was hosted at my church a few weeks ago. The weekend-long event was filled with anointed worship, inspiring teaching, and powerful encounters with God. It would probably take me hours to fully divulge what God shifted in my life over the course of these three days, so instead I will do my best to convey the core essence of my experience.

Fearless was the name of this event, and throughout the time that is what I became. I realized how infinitely powerful my God is, and how terrified satan is of that power that resides within those who invite Jesus into their lives. In 1 John 4:4 we are told, "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." Our Lord has already won! Wickedness has been defeated. So why aren't we living in that victory? Why don't we step out in boldness as true ambassadors for Christ's love? The enemy has sedated the church with pleasure, and has convinced Christians to wear the same lifestyle as everyone else. He has made it so that when people see us, they don't want what we have because our portrayal of what God has to offer doesn't look that much different than what they already have--judgmental and rigid, or stressed and unfulfilled. There was an incredible analogy that was given the first night. While we sitting in the pews, a group of guys completely encompassed us in caution tape, invisible walls built up by the enemy to keep us in our seats and refrain us from embodying the love of Christ for fear of what others would think. I couldn't believe that I had allowed this to become true in my own life, choosing to stay silent to avoid being labeled as fanatical. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." The Lord is good, and he deeply, passionately, and intimately loves us. His will for us is not to live in stifling despair; it is to abide in the power and peace of His grace. I know that I can trust Him in EVERY aspect of my life because He fills me with purpose and fulfillment that goes beyond anything I could attain on my own. 

I confess that I have been putting off writing this post for some time, daily slipping out the back doors of procrastination in the hope that if I lost sight of this "task" it might disappear. It wasn't that I didn't want anyone to know how God inhabits the praises of His people. Quite the contrary! It was more the feeling that the composition of this post would be a laborious task. There was also a small part of me that wondered if my shared experience would only encourage skepticism and mockery. I realize now that these fears are from the enemy, and are meant solely to inhibit me from engaging in the fullness of God's purpose. I think this shows how imperative it is for God's children to recognize that even after The Lord has incredibly transformed our hearts and minds, Satan will attempt to prevent us from living out the callings Christ has on our lives. His mercy is given without hesitation, but it is our own response to this gift that is made in the small, seemingly insignificant choices that determine our realization of His promises. I will no longer be complacent, accepting the bondage the enemy tries to cripple me or others with. Those who came to this conference entered individuals, but we left an inspired army. We were filled with a righteous anger, and now we are ready to fight.