Earlier this week I read Luke 8: 37 “Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.”
After focusing on this verse for a few moments I began to wonder how many of are separated from him due to our fears. How many of us ask Jesus to leave us alone because we are afraid and do not have faith to trust in him. We may not come right out and say, “Jesus, leave me alone” but our thoughts, actions, and deeds can send the message to him loud and clear.
The people referenced in the scripture allowed fear to overtake them. They prevented Jesus from working miracles in their lives and community. As Christians I think we need to ask ourselves if we are allowing our fears to prevent him from working miracles in our own lives and communities? We also need to ask ourselves if we are allowing fear to dictate our actions? We are not called to be fearful, but to stand in faith. Paul wrote, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong”(1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV). We can not let fear take over and make us turn away from his guidance.