Fear, Gratitude, and Action

Jesus said to the one who had been healed, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” Mark 5:19

REFLECTION:
The passage above is from an encounter in which Jesus heals a man with "an unclean spirit." From the accounts of the story, it seems as though modern people would probably call this unclean spirit some sort of mental health issue. The man lived alone, howling and bruising himself with rocks, and no one could restrain him. Jesus heals the man, and it frightens the townspeople, who want Jesus to leave them. But the man makes the opposite request; as the one who has been healed, he is not afraid but grateful...he wants to stay with Jesus.

But Jesus refuses his request, instead speaking the line above. The message is clear; the man no longer has to be afraid, to be sure, but he also is not allowed to simply sit in the security of his newfound sanity and health. He has been blessed, and so his job is now to live in grateful response. Jesus is turning his gaze from himself to others. There are two steps of growth happening here; the movement from fear to gratitude, and then the movement from gratitude to action.

For those of us who live securely, with enough food, water, and shelter, the difference between fear and gratitude is often a choice. Like this man, we have been richly blessed...but do we see it? Do we choose to ignore the blessings and choose fear like the townspeople? This is the first step for us to consider. Do we count perceived curses instead of blessings? Or do we have a sense of just how blessed we are?

Then, the second step of growth comes...do we have the yearning to just enjoy those blessings for ourselves, as the man's initial impulse? Or are we willing to name those blessings for others, and identify their true source?

So, I'm going to start this day by attempting to listen to the wisdom in Jesus' words. First, I want to contemplate how richly blessed I am...and my blessings will be different from yours, but the this morning, I am grateful for extended family who surprised us with a visit; for healthy children; and for the movement of the Spirit in yesterday's worship services...empowered by dedicated musicians, helpers, and members who came and sang and praised. As I pause to name these gifts, it helps me to step away from fear in any form and toward gratitude.

Then, I want to follow Jesus' command to the man in the passage and tell you what the Lord has done for me. All of those blessings I listed, and thousands more, aren't things I created. They are gifts from God. They are just a small glimpse of all that God has done for me.

So, brothers and sisters reading these words...do you need to move from fear to gratitude? Or from gratitude to action? Begin by counting your blessings...continue by counting them aloud to others. Maybe we'll start a cascade of gratitude today...the world certainly could use that!

PRAYER:
Merciful God, please forgive us for our foolish pride that often blinds us to the blessings you have provided for us. Make us to be faithful witnesses of your love and mercy for all of humankind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts