Andy Kramer
...that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear. (Luke 1:74)
I remember the first time I signed up to spend the night at Room In The Inn at Westminster. I guess when I signed up it seemed like an easy enough thing to do. I had the luxury of having a roof over my head every night, so why couldn't I sacrifice one night so a group of 15 people could have that same opportunity this one night. As the evening approached, I started to feel anxious; I had no idea what to expect. I had randomly signed up and didn’t know the person I was working with. I was thinking about all of the stereotypes associated with people experiencing homelessness and started to question my security. How was I going to be able to have a dinner conversation with someone I thought was so different from me?
As I read this passage in Luke, I was drawn to the phrase “serve him without fear.” We are called to serve others and a lot of times I let my fears get in the way of living out this calling. It is easy to let fear get in the way and find excuses not to do things.
Despite my anxiety, I made it through my first Room In The Inn experience. I found it interesting that once the evening started, my fears vanished. The conversations were relatively easy, the night went smoothly and we were able to provide housing for some people who otherwise would have been experiencing a cold, lonely night. Sometimes God’s call for us takes us out of our comfort zone, but when we answer that call we find the reward of the experience outweighs any anxiety leading up to it.
Daily Challenge: What fear is holding me back from helping others? How can I overcome this fear to live out God’s calling for me?
Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to overcome my fears and find ways to help others in need. Amen.
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