“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Matthew 10:28a
“Be safe!” we say to loved ones as they leave the security of our home and head out into the big broad world. We are bombarded in the daily news with accounts of disasters and accidents and unanticipated violent outbursts. We have become very aware of the dangers which surround us on the roadways, in our cities, and even in the classrooms of our schools. It seems that there is no place of safety to be found anymore. Even within our homes the artificial intelligence technology which engages our premium security system is, indeed, “spying” on us!
We go to great lengths to ensure our physical safety these days. And some of us who are old enough to remember being turned loose in our neighborhoods during our elementary years for whole days at a time—“be in before dark!”—or can remember our mother’s outstretched arm catching us across the chest as she had to slam on the brakes wonder how we possibly survived to adulthood! I’m not convinced that the world is more full of danger than it used to be, but I do believe we are perhaps more aware of the dangers which exist, and we are certainly less comfortable co-existing with that danger nowadays.
So if the danger which surrounds us cannot be eliminated, how are we to understand it, or more precisely, how are we to manage our anxiety about the presence of said danger? I think Jesus has an answer for us in the words he’s speaking to the twelve in the tenth chapter of Matthew’s gospel. He advises us not to be afraid of physical harm from those who might murder us in the first half of verse 28. Yowza! That’s blunt! But he goes on to tell us in the remainder of verse 28, “Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
For the most part, we do our best to secure our physical bodies. What Jesus lets us know is that securing our soul is even more important than securing our body. If our soul is not in the hands of our Lord and Savior, who is the only One able to truly secure it, then, quite frankly, it doesn’t matter if our physical body is safe or not. So, my friends, buckle your seatbelts, lock your doors, do the regular maintenance on your vehicles and eat your vegetables. And, grow in, strengthen and nurture your relationship with our Lord Jesus. After all, Jesus is your eternal security.
Rev. Laura Stellmon, Pastor
PASTORAL CARE
Office Hours: 9:00am – 12:00pm, Monday – Thursday
(Given the nature of a Pastor’s duties, these days/times are subject to change without notice.)
Phone: (435) 723-6262
Email: PastorLaura@comcast.net
The congregation is encouraged to contact Rev. Laura Stellmon by phone or email when pastoral care is needed.