Many years ago I learned that the instruction “Fear Not” was in the Bible 365 times in one form or another. I believe that God is telling us that HE IS in control. We do not need to worry about what is going to happen in our lives. Trust Him to take care of us! Such a simple instruction and yet how often we forget! With the way the world has been affected by COVID-19, it has been very difficult to fear not. With the riots and unrest in our cities, it has been very difficult to believe that anyone is in control! With our economy struggling, it is so difficult to trust! When our churches were shut down and we received so little spiritual reassurances, it was difficult to feel cared about. How do you cling to your faith under such stressful times? What helps you to stay grounded, to trust, and to have no fear? Are you able to feel Jesus in your life?
A strong reminder for me of God’s all-encompassing compassion and caring in my life is a sculpture. Every time I look at or picture this sculpture in my mind, I am reminded that I do not need to fear or worry about situations. The sculpture that comforts and assures me is The Heart Of Christ that sits in our sanctuary behind the altar… Jesus embracing the crowd of humanity in his large, strong hands, covering them in His mantle. At first, I wasn’t sure that I liked it, but as I sat in different spots in the church, I realized that Jesus always had His arms protecting His people. The sculpture called me to come closer. I even took a photo of it and blew it up into poster size for the wall at my office. Whenever I would feel stressed or scared about something, that poster told me to “Relax, don’t be afraid or worried. I’ve got this.” I chose one of the figures in His heart to be me so that I knew I was in His caring arms! The image of Jesus holding me close to His heart takes away many of my fears about life, the future, the world, things I may have done wrong. It brings me calm in my stormy ports! It reminds me to “Fear Not!”
After the sculpture had been in our church a few months Fr. Shori published this explanation in our bulletin. “The Heart of Christ bust that adorns the sanctuary of the new church came to us in Advent 2001. This bust of Christ is most meaningful to us because of the large number of people contained in the heart of Christ. Hopefully, this reminds us that each of us is precious unto the Lord and not only has, but also will always have, a place close to His heart no matter what may happen or how we may sin. Since the arrival of the bust, parishioners have commented on how it speaks differently based on where you sit in church and what might be happening in your personal life. Let us be drawn to the Heart of Jesus. The sculpture was designed and produced by Timothy P. Schmalz whose work is based in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It is a 2,200 lb. bronze statue with a gray patina finish.”
My challenge to you in these uncertain times is to find yourself in the Heart of Jesus and trust that He has you and your life under control no matter how challenging or difficult your circumstances may be. FEAR NOT, He has you in His embrace!