1 John 4:18 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.

I do not fear for my own life. I know  without a moment of doubt or hesitation where I am going upon my exit from this life.

This morning I put what I had written from the first chapter of Joel in the trash. I did so because I was afraid that it was not God inspired. His words were, my thoughts were not. I was afraid of failing my God. 

I see death and destruction everywhere these days. The news is littered with it. I cannot pray enough to cover all that misery. Feeling bad, being anxious for others is not the fear which John is speaking about in this opening verse. At least it is not as I perceive it today.

His abiding love has done wondrous works in my life. He has changed me. I am not perfected, at least not yet. That is for another life I think. In this life I struggle to keep on task. I have my marching orders and everything around me is a distraction.

I am not at perfect peace. If I were I would praise God in all things, even the things that trouble me so much in the world. When I see what is going on, I believe that God’s Word is true. He warned us of all this and it seems like no one is listening. If they had been listening then their minds would have been transformed and their hearts would be full of love.

My hope is that what I hear in the Spirit will serve God and my response in obedience of faith will accomplish God’s will, which is beyond my control. “Thy will be done.” Obedience of faith does require us to understand His will before we act on it. Faith only requires that we believe God.

Is this the right Word for today? I know what I put in the trash was not. Perhaps that is the message for today. Can we lay aside what we are thinking and seek God’s message for us today?

Don’t let fear distract you.