the unknown

so i finished a book today, it was "out of the silent planet." now this isn't meant to be a segway from the previous post or anything, it really has relevance to a certain thought i have been having. the book is the first of a sci-fi trilogy meant for adults which was written by c.s. lewis. it differs from the narnian series in that it doesn't directly parallel any Biblical passage, though it does have biblical truths woven within it.

throughout the book, the protagonist, ransom deals with the vice of fear. i too would be paralyzed by fear if i were in the same situation, i mean being held as a captive and being drugged and put in a space craft headed to an unknown planet would give me good reason to be filled with fear. while reading the book i was reminded of a verse found in 1 john 4 that basically says that perfect love drives out fear. i didn't quite understand the verse before. i thought "you mean if i am afraid of this or that i merely have to love and all that fear will leave me? what am I supposed to love? how do i do that and more importantly how would that help?" but while reading about ransom and his constant fears of the unknown and later his overcoming his fears i had an epiphany. i realized that if we love G-d and He truly loves us (which His love is perfect love) we really have nothing to worry about. i constantly worry about tomorrow and what the future brings, which of course is unknown territory just as a new planet is to ransom. but if i love G-d and He loves me, then my future is in His hands. i don't mean to get into a deep theological discussion of predestination versus free will or anything like that. but i need not worry about my future if G-d is my driving force and i know that He loves me. the desires and dreams He has placed in my heart will come to pass. they may not come to pass in the way i think they should or in the same timing, but they will come about. i think this is what that verse is talking about. if we put our trust in that perfect love, all fear really is cast out. the unknown has no grip anymore.i know this is cheesy but, i don't know what tomorrow holds, but i know who holds my tomorrow. so as i face this new year with all its glories, surprises, short comings and disappointments...i can face it with peace.

i will now leave you with two songs that have different meanings to me and that fit with what i feel.

Because He Lives

Chorus:
Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives



I Will Run To You

Your eye is on the sparrow
And Your hand, it comforts me
From the ends of the Earth to the depth of my heart
Let Your mercy and strength be seen

You call me to Your purpose
As angels understand
For Your glory, may You draw all men
As Your love and grace demand

And I will run to You
To Your words of truth
Not by might, not by power
But by the spirit of God
Yes I will run the race
'Till I see Your face
Oh let me live in the glory of Your grace