Why Are You Afraid?

2 Samuel 5:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2; Mark 4:35-41

In his sermon "Fear," Clarence E. Macartney describes a peasant, driving into a European city, who was hailed by an aged woman. As they drove along, the peasant became alarmed as he learned that he passenger was the plague, cholera. But, as they drove along, plague assured him that only ten people in the city would die of cholera. Plague even offered the peasant a dagger, saying he could kill him with it if more than ten died. But, after they reached the city, more than a hundred perished. As the angry peasant drew the dagger to deal a death blow, plague lifted his hand and protested. "Wait, I killed only ten. Fear killed the rest."

It is reported that the newspaper columnist, Ann Landers, receives an average of 10,000 letters each month, and nearly all of them from people burdened with problems. She was aksed if there was any one of them which predominates throughout the letters she receives, and her reply was the one problem above all others seems to be fear.

People are afraid of losing their health, their wealth, their loved ones. People are afraid of life, itself.

In our present day, even when the Cold War seems to have ended, even when there are guarenteed incomes, even when there is police protection at the mere dial of 911, even when there are more doctors than ever before, there is is as much or more fear and anxiety in our day than at any other time in our world's history.

And, certainly, there are reasons for this. Perhaps one reason is that because of the accessibility of the news media we are just more exposed to some of the frightening things that go on in the world. Or, perhaps another reason for the increase of anxiety is that we are more affluent than ever before. And, when you have many things, you are more likely to feel anxious about losing them. Or, perhaps another reason for the increase of anxiety is that today's people have so much leisure time that they may have little else to do with their extra time than to think about themselves and their problems and their worries. A psychiatrist once told me that very busy persons are less likely to complain about psychological problems. But, I never stopped to ask him if it was because psychologically healthy people are more likely to be busy because they feel well, or whether being busy just keeps a person psychologically healthy. My guess is that it is a little bit of both.

Things are happening very rapidly, too. It is a bit like this story a friend of mine tells: "My grandmother rode in a horse and carriage, but she was afraid to ride in a car. My mother rode in a car, but she was afraid to ride in a plane. I ride in a plane, but I am afraid to ride in a jet. My daughter rides in a jet, but she is afraid to ride in a horse and carriage." So, in a sense, we have come full circle with our fears.

But, there is something else that we need to consider. I believe that many people are fearful and full of anxiety simply because society is much different now than it was even 50 years ago. It is much easier for a person to be alone now than it used to be. Indeed, there are many people living right here in Corunna who rarely leave their homes, nor feel they need to. They can sit in an air-conditioned room and be entertained by television, hour after hour. And, if they need something they can call for it on the telephone. The only time they may leave their house is to go to work, or go pick up a few groceries. But, while this may seem pretty convenient for many, there is a price to be paid for such a lifestyle -- loneliness. It is estimated today that most people have over 50% fewer close friends than they did just fifty years ago. And there are more young persons growing up today who do not know what it feels like to be hugged by someone who really cares. And, so in their lonely search for hugs many get into trouble. Indeed, being alone is something that can bring on fear and anxiety.

And in the the midst of all of the fear and anxiety going on around us and in us, while even we are feeling troubled and in turmoil, the amazing thing is that Jesus comes along, day by day, and asks us to be his disciples. And just what does this mean? Being Jesus' disciples means being willing to share our faith with others. Being Jesus' disciples means being willing to support the ministry of the Body of Christ. Being Jesus' disciples means being willing to forgive others when we feel they have hurt us. Being Jesus' disciples means being willing to put other's needs and egos first. Being Jesus' disciples means studying the scriptures and praying and meditating. And, we have to ask God how we can possibly do all of these things that Jesus wants us to do if we're so afraid. How can we do these seemingly impossible things?

I am reminded of our Old Testament Lesson for today. King David, following the death of Saul and Jonathan, stormed the city of Jerusalem in order to take it away from the Jebusites who lived there. And the Jebusites laughed at David's army and told him that even the city's cripples could defend the walls of the city against David's men. Certainly, as David looked at the walls of the city of Jerusalem he must have wondered how he would ever take control of what would one day become the capital of the nation of Israel. Nevertheless, our Old Testament lesson tells us that David captured the city. And we must assume that it was only with a firm confidence in the promises God had made to his forefather, Abraham, that David was able to accomplish such a feat in the face of such great odds.

And, certainly, there come times in our own experience that we wonder how we can possible get through another day, let alone be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. I know, there are days like that for me. And, yet, because God wants us to be successful disciples he gives us what we need to pull it off. And, the longer I am involved in this work the more confident I am that God's help is constantly being offered to us. As we look for God to help us, as we wonder if God is really there to give us aid when we feel weak, we only need to remember Paul's words: "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." And that is comforting to hear. We don't have to wait for tomorrow, and we don't have to long for yesterday, because God's help is with us and available to us now and always.

As we read our gospel lesson for today we are tempted to laugh at the disciples who were in the boat as the wind and the waves came up. Jesus was sleeping in the back of the boat while the disciples were fearing for their lives. And they woke Jesus up and asked him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

I mean, what kind of an impetuous question is that? Of course, Jesus cared about them. Of course, Jesus didn't want them to drown. It's just that Jesus had such a faith in God that he lived his life with confidence, free of worries and fears. He was able to sleep in the back of the boat through the wind and the waves because he knew that the power of God was there to handle any emergency that came along.

So, we may think it funny that they asked Jesus, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" If only they had been as close to God as Jesus was. They would have known that there was more power at their disposal than they could have ever dreamed of.

But, sometimes ask the same question. When we get tired, when the problems of life mount up, when our health or the health of a loved one is threatened, when we can't pay our bills, when the car breaks down, when the waves look like they're about the go over the side of the boat, when the wind feels like its about to blow us overboard, don't we also ask, "Jesus, don't you care?"

The disciples didn't get a verbal answer from Jesus that day. They didn't get a theological rationale or a treatise on how much he cared for them. Rather, Jesus showed them that he cared, for looking at the waves and turning to the wind he said, "Quiet! Be still!" and the wind and waves immediately stopped.

There are others around us whose boats are likewise in danger of capsizing as they face loneliness and despair. Like the disciples they may look to Jesus at their most perilous moment and ask, "Jesus don't you care?" But, in fact, it is us, the church who must answer that question. It's the church that gets put on the spot when people cry out for help.

Last week someone came to the church and needed help with their rent. I could have told them to go away. I could have told them that I was busy. I could have told them that we didn't have the money. But, how would that have played upon the heart of God? And, if the church is truly the Body of Christ, isn't our place to act in the time of need, rather than simply give lip service to how much we care? So, I was thankful that a few of you have been putting money into our Local Emergency Relief Fund for such an occassion as this. Not only was I able to say that the United Methodist Church cares, but, thanks to you, I was able to prove it up front.

It is when I am able to do this that I am reminded of the question Jesus asked his disciples after he showed them what to do about wind and waves. He asked, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

When we are able to free ourselves up to doing God's work in the world, when we allow ourselves to have regular fellowship with others, when we make the ministry of Jesus Christ happen, through our faith in him, the wind and the waves subside, the fear and anxieties go away. Amen.