A fearless new year’s blessing to you all!

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Mark Frith, the new LCRL Champions Network Director. Today’s verses are Psalm 112:6-8 where the Bible says,  

Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

Happy and blessed New Year this second month of 2023, my friends. I pray that you were refreshed during the Christmas and Epiphany celebrations, but, even more so, that the joy of knowing the Christ-child by grace through faith will continually refresh your lives to fearlessly meet the challenges every day of this year and beyond. “Fearless!” That’s my word for the day.

But “broken” and “afraid” seem to be words of the day

Unfortunately, “fearless” doesn’t seem to apply to very many people. “Broken” and “afraid” seem more descriptive. Actually, those two words flooded my own heart and mind over this last festive season. Yes, for all of the wonder and blessing of the season, a pervading human sense of being broken was nagging in my spirit. As a Christian, I know that, despite all the joy of Christ's redemption for me, I am a sinner. No matter how good I feel at the moment, the sense of being broken is always lurking right there alongside me. 

Of course, reaching my 60’s might also have something to do with it. My body reminds me every day that it isn't what it used to be! Parts of my body, if not broken, seem to be wearing down more regularly. How about you?

Watching aging parents struggle just a bit more to kneel at the communion rail to receive Christ's body and blood is another reminder that we are all frail. It’s hard to see the vulnerability of those we love. Even the young adults in our family are discovering that life is hard. Just as they conquer the mountain of work in front of them, another bigger mountain of work looms ahead. It can also be difficult for those who do not have a mate with whom to traverse life. The lack of support and companionship may make it difficult for them to keep climbing, working, and living. Even when there are seemingly “forever” relationships, all too often those seem to be breaking more easily or quickly today.  

And then there’s the drumbeat of headlines in the news that threatens to break down the Christian too. For example, a new Christian actress is being questioned for signing with a film company that doesn’t intend to make movies that satisfy the libertine practices of the secular progressives. She is now forced to question the teachings of Jesus, and to either make statements contradicting her faith or be cancelled.

Yes, “broken,” “unsure,” and even “fearful.” Those seem to be the words of today.

Are “mended” and “prepared for fearless service” better words?

Actually, on our terms, “broken” and even “afraid” aren’t merely terms for the day. They reflect reality for sinful people. But God has not left us without hope in our condition. Instead, as the Psalmist reminds us above, those who trust in the Lord have hearts that are secure, steadfast, and even without fear. Because of Christ, God has fashioned us forgiven sinners to be “fearless” people of hope for times such as these. Each Easter we celebrate Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil, but, in reality, every Sunday is a mini-Easter celebration! Furthermore, every new year gives us a new opportunity to live lives of hope, fearlessly looking forward toward the last great day when brokenness will finally be healed for all time.

When you know you’re broken, but, more importantly, also know you have a Savior who was fearlessly willing to be broken for us, you are empowered to see the brokenness all around us as fertile opportunities for sharing Christ's mercy, grace, and hope. We no longer fear brokenness. We are mended, reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, our Newborn Savior and King who reigns over us now and forever. We fear not. Instead, we can live fearlessly…because of Jesus.

This is going to be a good year because, whatever may come, we serve a Lord who mends us with faith and strengthens us by His Spirit. A fearless, blessed New Year to you all!