There is something about the start of a new year that motivates many of us to change. Instead of resolutions that soon fail, we can experience a true new beginning if we will recognize the realities of God’s grace, Christ’s power, and our choices.

Fear is a powerful motivator, but there is a big difference in fearing being lost and fearing God. Instead of leading us to the minimum safe distance from danger, Jesus wants to lead us into love and abundance.

One might get the impression that we fear pain. Yet as Christians living in a world full of sin and death, avoiding all suffering just is not possible – or even, desirable, once we realize the ways we can experience Jesus and the Spirit through it.

The first followers of Jesus were not much by worldly standards, but man were they bold! If we with all our worldly advantages will get so close to Jesus that it shows, pray for boldness, and live it daily, we will be shaken.

Jesus lived every moment with incredible gentleness and boldness right through to His death…and beyond. There is so much we can learn from the One who drove out money-changers and welcomed children, who stayed silent while lied about and who challenged kings and priests.

We will gladly give Jesus part of our lives, but we become frightened when we hear God say we must give Him all. Yet, Jesus places His hand on us and invites us to rise and have no fear as we see Him only.

When we are confronted with how good Jesus is - and convicted by how much we are not - it is tempting to walk away. Yet, Jesus knows the real issue: we are afraid. So, instead of living in fear that we are not good enough, He invites us to live every day knowing that He is.

As long as sin and death are in the world, fear is inevitable. Yet, we have a choice: to fear God and experience how His perfect love casts out fear or to fear change and continue choosing our own way over His.

When Jesus was born and when He walked on the water, when He was nearing death and when the tomb was found empty, God’s consistent message was, “Fear not!” As we are confronted with very real fears today, we do not face them alone. Jesus is here, so we can take heart.