Afraid: A Post-Easter Meditation

SCRIPTURE Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? Read: John 14:1-2

THOUGHT Sometimes humans are scared no matter what. One minute, I am afraid to leave the job that is harming my soul and my family, the next I am afraid because the job is lost; a few days later I’m scared because the job of a lifetime has been offered me and I’ve lost my confidence. Our hearts sometimes get troubled, and we can’t seem to escape.

In a similar catch-22, people were terrified because of Jesus’ death one day, and equally terrified when he showed up alive the next. Change can be exhilarating, but it can also be frightening. Death especially can catch us off-guard, leaving us feeling ill-prepared, fearful and vulnerable.

I take comfort in the fact that Jesus didn’t tell his friends, “don’t be afraid to die.” He prepared them (and us) in advance: don’t be afraid because I am going ahead, getting things ready so we can be together in the house of the Father who loves us. Through all the grief and fear of the cross, they learned they could trust his promises in a more profound way than they ever had. That helps settle my troubled heart.

PRAYER Carpenter and friend, your work is always good. Through our vulnerabilities, losses and endings, help our troubled hearts rest in your words of comfort.