Making Space – An Advent DevotionalSample

No Longer a Slave to Fear

As a mom, I tend to worry. A lot. But after nine years on the job, most of my worries pale in comparison to when I was a brand-new mom with my newly-minted firstborn. I was constantly on edge. Was he hungry? Were the bottles sterilized? Did he need a diaper change? Was he breathing?

Now, for a moment, imagine being in Mary’s shoes (or, more likely, dusty, worn-out sandals). A barn for a delivery room, a trough for a crib, an inexperienced young husband for a midwife – and the Savior of the World for a son. Talk about a perfect recipe for concocting fear!

Ironically, this baby didn’t bring on fears typical of a first-time momma. He brought deep, unshakeable joy and peace to Mary – and brings the same to us today. He brings us into a relationship with the Father. He replaces fear with faith. Sometimes, the journey getting there is painful. But when you’re not bound by fear – fear of failure, fear of people and of circumstances, fear of rejection, fear of judgment, fear of you-name-it – you become who you were created to be.

I’m no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to You in prayer. Yes, Lord, I bring my fears before You. Take those fears and replace them with a forever joy. Amen