When the modern world seems overwhelming, it’s always good to look back on the giants from our past for a little wisdom and perspective. A. W. Tozer once said, “A scared world needs a fearless church.” I’m sure there have been periods in the last couple thousand years where this was truer than today, but it is timely and necessary wisdom we should heed. At least in my lifetime, I’ve never seen the world be more scared.
Suicide rates are climbing rapidly. Turning on the news will only leave you frightened and depressed (I recommend you turn it off!). Fear is everywhere: fear of a global pandemic, fear of rioting, fear of job loss, fear of economic ruin, fear of government… the list goes on and on. We are living in a scared world in desperate need of hope.
This is the church’s moment. It is the moment for every disciple of Jesus to be fearless in telling others about the hope and love of God. Within you is the antidote for all the fear swirling around you. Your neighbors need to know Jesus loves them. Your coworkers are desperate for hope. Everyone you encounter needs love. This is the great test of our time for the Church. As ambassadors of Christ, it is our mission to preach His name throughout the world (Matthew 28:18-20). Amid all the chaos, people may be more open to accepting the gift of salvation through Jesus than ever before. Desperation surrounds us, and we have the answer for it.
As the body of Christ, we dare not keep the good news of Jesus to ourselves. As we look out on a scared world, we must bathe it in love. We need a fearless Church of fearless disciples who will stand against the darkness and shine the light of the love of Jesus. Darkness must flee when light is present, and the light of Jesus will always overcome the darkness of Satan. While the rest of the world sees only fear and discouragement, the Church must see opportunity and seize it. People are frantic for a solution and we can share it with them.
A scared world is made up of scared individuals. We may not have the platform to reach the entire planet, but we can reach the person next to us. We can share how Jesus has calmed our fears and been a salve for our wounds. If we aren’t willing to share the hope we have, what good is that hope? The gospel of Jesus is to be shared, not hidden away (Luke 11:33-36). True love drives out fear (1 John 4:18), which means the world desperately needs love. As you observe fear in the places you go and the people you meet, inject love. Inject hope. Show them Jesus. Be Jesus in the way you walk, talk, and react. As people see Jesus in us, their fear will subside, and we can lead them to our beautiful Savior. A scared world needs a fearless Jesus. Show them the way.