Overcoming fear

Fear is common. On pp. 152-153 of "Boyhood and Beyond," author Bob Schultz tells about a scary experience that he had in the middle of the 1970s gas crisis:

In the middle of this shortage, I needed to drive 500 miles for a friend's wedding. Before leaving town I had to buy gas from three different stations to fill my tank. I planned to stop at every open gas station along the route. After two hours of driving, I found the first one. I drove for almost 400 miles without finding another station with gas to sell. I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge at night with my gas gauge on empty. Signs on the bridge promised a $250 fine to stalled vehicles. My stomach knotted and hurt. Driving in the darkness far from home added to my fear. I didn't know if I should keep driving until my car quit or choose a place to pull off until I could find an open station.

God spoke to my heart as I drove along. 'Don't worry; I will meet your need. And if I don't meet your need, you will still have Me.'

The reminder of His presence gave me courage. I began singing to Him. My heart overflowed with joy and peace. I drove much farther than I thought possible. When I was well outside the city, on a dark stretch of freeway, my car coughed and died. My tank was out of gas, but my heart was full of joy because of my Father's presence.

'What now?' I asked. It was time to walk. Though quite dark, the night air felt warm. Leaving the car, I proceeded up the nearby exit ramp. At the top of the hill I looked down on the lights of two gas stations! I approached and found both to be open. One gave me a can full of gas, and I walked back to my car. On my return, the attendant generously filled my tank. My mouth fell open when I heard him say, 'We are the only stations open for 250 miles in any direction!'

God's presence had given Bob the courage to keep driving until his tank was empty. God knows exactly what we need.

Colorado wildfire 2012 and the larger story

In the recent monthly letter from John Eldredge of Ransomed Heart, he discusses the Colorado wildfire and how he was reminded to trust the Larger Story:

As we evacuated our home, I could see flames and smoke engulfing the mountainside in my rearview mirror. I thought, It would be awful if our home burnt to the ground. Jesus, why is this happening? I felt him say, I will interpret this for you later. Let me pause here and say, in the midst of crisis, heartbreak or tragedy, you can seek God or you can seek understanding but you rarely get both. In time, usually after some time, God can help you sort things out. But not in the midst of the storm. In the maelstrom, seek God. Interpretation comes later. Trust the Larger Story.

Then Jesus said, if you really believed this is a world at war, what would your reaction be? Suddenly my outlook changed. I realized of course we could lose our home; that happens in war. What am I invested in, really? What am I living for? Happy little home?

Eldredge goes on to remind readers that by focusing on the Larger Story of advancing the Kingdom of God, no smaller crisis can take us out.

Wild at Heart Iowa

I have always wanted to attend one of John Eldredge's Wild at Heart Boot Camps. While I haven't made it to one in Colorado yet, I am going to one closer to home: Wild at Heart Iowa. It's Sept. 20 to 23 -- check out this video for more information!