Worth Repeating:

For some people, each new day not only brings excitement and opportunity, but irrational fears about what the future will bring.  It is wise not to let fears and apprehensions rob us of our present and therefore the good thing that is seeking to come into our experience.  Listen to this.

Thomas Jefferson and a group of men traveling across country on horseback in the early days of this country stopped to have supper at an inn.  One of the group spoke and said, “My friends, we face the most difficult part of our journey tomorrow.  Tomorrow we have to cross over the dangerous Fox River to continue.”  Now the Fox River was noted for sudden changes.  Some days it was deep, some shallow.  Some days the water was fast and treacherous, some days it was quiet and serene.

There was much discussion of how they should cross the river the next day.  Should they walk, should they swim, should they ride their horses, should the build rafts, or buy boats?  The more they talked about it the more alarmed and fearful they became.

Then an older man entered the inn.  He was Trapper Williams, the most noted scout and frontiersman of that area.  They called him over because he had crossed the river many times.  Perhaps he could answer their questions.

His response was, “I have crossed the Fox River many times in different ways over the years.  Because the river is always changing, I have only one rule with which to cross.  It is: I never cross the river until I get to it.”

Good advice.  Jesus, the noted scout and frontiersman, walked on the water to the disciples and said, “Take heart I am here, have no fear.”  Fear not or don’t be afraid are in the bible 365 times.  One fear not for every day of the year.  Coincidence?  I don’t think so.

Fear not, it’s the Christ way!

Rev. Analea Rawson