Terry Paul Choyce
Thanksgiving, Oct. 16, 2005, Brunswick Street United Church
The book A Course in Miracles says there are two main emotions, love and fear. Usually we think of hate as being the opposite of love, but when you stop and really think about, all hate is really based on fear. We may say we hate certain people, but that is because we are afraid they will hurt us, either because they have in the past, or we have perceived them as hurting us or someone else. It is fear that makes us build walls of isolation around us. It is fear that limits us from doing all we would like to do. It is fear that causes us to worry and fret. And it is often fear that prevents us from loving another person completely. All of us have our own fears to wrestle with every day.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was president of the US from 1933 to 1945. He once said once said that "all we have to fear is fear itself." He said this when North America was reeling from a depression and Europe was being terrorized by Hitler. He wanted to instill hope and energy into the American people. He wanted to revitalise the economy and give Americans confidence that they could overcome all adversities. He took a big risk in developing what he called The New Deal, which created work projects to build super highways, create National Parks, restore historical sites, and he get people back to work again. He himself was stricken with polio, and yet he did not let his disability stop him. He was a man who ignored his fears. He made people believe in themselves.
Sometimes we are afraid of becoming more than what we presently are, or what we are expected to be. We may have dreams and ambitions which we ignore because we don't think we are capable of reaching our potential, and it is easier to just stay as we are.
Nelson Mandela's famous inaugural speech, which was actually written by Marianne Williamson said: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
One person in this congregation who is not easily frightened is Shazza. She is going back to school to become a social worker. She has raised her sons and now it is time for her to fulfill her dreams. Others of you have also put yourselves out to achieve a goal. We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jim Sykes for designing this church after the fire of 1979. And he put much work into the Camp Brunswick building as well. He had a lot of obstacles in making this place what it is today, but he had the fortitude to fulfill his vision. Annette probably never believed that she could be a very successful theological student, but look at her now. I am sure each of you, at some time in your life, has ignored your fears and done something you are proud of. What dreams do you have now that you are not pursuing out of fear?
Pat Rodegast wrote in Emmanuel's Book:
"Fear is a fungus that grows rapidly in the dark places. It is the most powerful of doors that closes off the Word and the Light of God...
You can allay fear through prayer, through meditation, through clear thinking...
What are you afraid of in life? What are you afraid of in yourself? You must challenge fear and ask it what it means to say. As you go into the fear with eyes open, heart open and courage flowing freely, you will see that fear is only an empty room. Fear is only as strong as your avoidance of it. The greater your reluctance to see the fear, and to accept it and embrace it, the more power you allow it.... It is not a matter of destroying fear, but of knowing its nature and of seeing it as a less powerful force than the power of love."
In our lesson from Matthew today (28:1-10) the angel said to the women " do not be afraid." In verse 10 Jesus appears to them and says again "Do not be afraid." None of us should be afraid of the Divine. I know that as children we were often threatened into behaving with fears of everlasting burning in Hell. Well, I don't believe in a God who would punish me, or you for eternity, for stealing a piece of candy or hiding my mother's hair cutting scissors. Way too often God's wrath was used as a scare tactic to make us behave. This is happening today to adults too, by many churches and governments. We obey because we fear the punishment of God. There are still people who will not dance, will not play cards, will not eat pork, will not say "shit" because they are told that these actions will displease God, and they will be punished for them. Some people fear God, more than they love God. This makes me very sad. Jesus gave his life so we can be free. Jesus told us to love and not to be afraid.
Once again the world has been hit with another earth shattering disaster. At least 30,000 people in Pakistan are dead and millions are homeless. I am sure they are living in constant fear. Despite my best intentions, I would be too if I were there. It is human nature to fear what kills, to fear what we cannot control, to fear what has hurt us. The people will be grief stricken and demoralised. Let us all pray that they will overcome their fears and be able to rebuild their lives. Let us pray that the aide money reaches them and helps prevent further suffering. Let us pray that the powerful love of God fills their hearts with hope. Let us pray this never happens again.
In his book Love is Letting Go of Fear Gerald Jamolsky writes: "With Love, health and wholeness can be viewed as inner peace, and healing can be view as letting go of fear. Love, then, is letting go of fear." Let us all let go of at least one of our fears that is preventing us from living our lives more fully, and loving more completely. Let us fear not and love a lot.
©Terry Paul Choyce. Used with permission from the author.
