pilgrim in progress

This years theme for CCEF’s Annual Conference is “Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest.” There are about 1800 attendees – the largest number of all the years they have put on these conferences. Maybe it is the theme and how we all can connect in some way or another to the experience of fear and worry – and our desire for rest.

We have already had a great morning running into Jack & Mary Delk from Bethlehem Baptist, talking with Phil Monroe of Biblical Seminary, the brother from World Harvest Mission, and worshipping with Keith and Kristin Getty.

Tim Lane, CCEF’s Executive Director, opened the conference with reading from Acts 18 to give a word on the theme. We see Paul in this passage moving from fear to courage. Paul testifies in another letter that Paul came to Corinth with “great fear.” Why was he filled with fear? It is a scary, violent, broken, unsafe world - and Corinth was no exception. It is in this context that Paul gets counseling; the Lord spoke to Paul with these words: “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent” (18:9-10).  He first receives a command – “Do not be afraid”, two promises – “for I am with you” and “no one will attack you to harm you”, and thirdly a missional purpose for what God is up too – “I have many in this city who are my people.” The command without the promises is behaviorism. The promise without the command leaves wanting the duty to be accomplished.

Hebrews 2:17 is deeply encouraging – “He was made like us in every way.” Not in some ways, but in all ways. He has been where we have been and faced what we face, and in fact he has faced a greater enemy.

Our experience is not all that different - we all struggle to some degree with fear and need Christ’s counsel. We may say that if Christ appears to us in a vision we would not fear! But it is amazing to see that what Jesus gives Paul is not some new quick fix but He gives Himself. He calls Paul to move into His fear and through that with Him to become apart of the great drama of restoring creation and redeeming mankind.

Paul is also encouraged by the community. Priscilla and Aquilla, Silas and Timothy both play vital roles in Paul’s life here. Anyone dealing with fear needs a community to walk with them. We need comfort from Christ and His word as well as practical comfort and encouragement from His people. When this happens we are then freed to join God in his missional purpose.

We can be encouraged that as with Paul Christ comes to us with Himself - His commands, His promises, and His call to join Him in His missional purpose.

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