Tunnels
Imagine staring out the windshield of a moving train. Up ahead on the tracks, you notice that we are approaching a tunnel. The tunnel is so far off that it looks like a tiny hole in the mountain. From this distance, you might say “there is no way this massive train can fit through there!” Suddenly, as the train draws closer, you find yourself worried. Believing that the train is going to crash, you begin warning all the other passengers on the train about the upcoming crash. Without seeing the tunnel for themselves, pretty soon, everyone on the train is in a state of panic.
When people are afraid, it is easy to motivate them using fear. Politicians use fear to motivate people to vote. News channels use fear to motivate people to keep watching. Social media platforms use fear to motivate people to continue scrolling. Historically, the Church uses fear to keep people in the pews. Too often, people choose Jesus simply out of the fear of hell. Fear is powerful. Fear makes us think and act irrationally.
The truth is, by the time the train gets to the tunnel, we will have all realized that there was nothing to be afraid of. We’ll eventually learn that our panic was unwarranted. And as soon as we get through the tunnel, people will begin fear-mongering about the next tunnel up ahead. After death on the Cross, Jesus made a point of repeating to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14:26). Jesus knew the power of fear and it became his mission to restore peace.
The issues that are designed to make us afraid are recycled over and over again. The destructive pattern of using fear to motivate people brings out our worst impulses. Fear is used to pit people against each other. Most of our fear is manufactured. We are shadow boxing ourselves, creating fictitious monsters, and being fearful of the oncoming tunnel. Rest assured; we will make it through the tunnel.
There is only one thing more powerful than fear: hope. When we have hope, we work together. Hope is what keeps us fighting to make the world a better place. Suppressing hope is the point of fear. This is why the Resurrection is so dangerous. Once we realize that our fear is a ruse, we will put our energy into building a just, loving, and peaceful society. Placing our hope in Christ is difficult, but God will not allow us to crash. Hope is about placing our trust in God. We are given the power to hope and that is a demonstration of God's love for us.
Together, let’s take a collective deep breath. Recite with me, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:5-6).
Trust in Christ,
Pr. Lucas McSurley
Photo By Karsten Winegeart