Do not be afraid…..
by Larry Leming, Missions Ministries Director

I am currently sitting in my office on a very beautiful low country day, with my window raised, a cool breeze blowing and the birds chirping outside.   Truth be known, I am also longing to be out there, right in the middle of it all.   But, as with most of us, deadlines are looming, phone calls are waiting and work can sometimes keep us chained to the desk.  

Many times, it is the same with life, especially our spiritual lives.   We sit, looking out at all that is going on with everyone else and we long to be right there in the middle of it.   But we tend to let things keep us “chained” down to where we are. One of the chains so often used is fear; the fear of change, of letting go, of doing something different, of being rejected and on and on.   Fear can be one of the greatest hindrances to living the abundant, spiritual life God has planned for us. Fear keeps our focus turned inward, while we miss all the opportunities and blessings that surround us. It closes our eyes to our families, our neighbors, our communities and our world. 

This not only happens with us as individuals, but it happens to us as congregations as well.   We can allow ourselves to be paralyzed by fear of the unknown.   I’m afraid to start that new Sunday School class, but we’ve never held a Bible study there before, but what if we go to them and then they come to us, we’ve never had anyone like that attend here and so it goes on and on.   And with every passing moment, our focus, just like with individuals turns more and more inward and less and less to those around us, overlooking even those within our own pews that are hurting. 

Yes, fear can be a powerful tool of the enemy, but we need never give up hope.   In the New Testament, Jesus gives one commandment more than any other…….DO NOT fear!!!!!   Don’t fear dear one, for He is with us. He who is the beginning and the end has promised to never leave us, to walk beside us and to forge the way before us!!!   With the almighty creator leading the way, what do we have to be afraid of?   The answer is nothing!!! Fear will indeed paralyzed us, keeping us where we are or in decline.   But trusting in the one who is already victorious and has promised to make us more than overcomers, will free us to be the people of God we were created to be!!!   Trusting in Him changes our focus from one turned so deeply inward to one of a more balanced approach of seeing all those around us through His eyes.   This includes the person on the pew beside of us to the person living across the street or in the community apartment complex to the person in the next state to the people in a far away land!!! We are all His children so that makes us family.  

Your “family” is waiting for you to come and touch their lives with the good news of Jesus Christ. Listed below are some of the places we can find our special family here in the lowcountry.   It is my prayer that we partner together, balance our focus, trust in Him who loves us the most and do not be afraid!!! God bless you all!!!

Family places in the low country:

Multihousing communities: People in apartments, high rises, condos, mobile home parks, neighborhoods and more that need to know they are not forgotten and not hidden away from the world.

Boys and Girls Clubs: Children and workers that need your touch through volunteering.

Local schools:   Children, teachers and staff that need the touch of a loving volunteer.

Elderly and disabled people that need service projects completed letting them know that people care.

Resort Ministry: Those who come to our area to play and visit and those that work these areas need to know that God doesn’t leave when we go on vacation. He and His love are ever present!!!!

Church congregations:   Many sit beside you each week who are hiding real hurts and needs. 

And the list goes on and on and on…….

Serving together

Larry