love defeats fear

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." - 1 John 4:18.

There are a lot of things that could have kept the wisemen at home. Most of them would have come down to fear. There was fear of the unknown; a new star, a journey to a new land wherever this star would lead them. There was fear for their safety; Traveling the harsh, desert roads of the ancient Middle East was a dangerous venture. But, fear could not stop the Magi. They came as if called. They came to worship and give powerfully symbolic gifts - first fit for a king - to the infant Jesus. They also came as representatives of the message that the gift of Jesus is for every race, every people, every nation. Love thrives in the absence of fear. And as John describes, perfect love drives out fear. The love of God embodied in Jesus fills us with the courage to cross borders and face danger and discomfort. It frees us from insecurity and rejection and judgment. It frees the divisive fear of the other and brings us together, united as God's children. What fears are troubling your heart? How can you step out against fear, empowered by God's perfect love?

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