I’m Scared and I’m Alone
One Sunday, a group of Christians from our church went to knock on some doors in a local neighborhood. My partner was a wonderful young man who was energized by a recent campaign that our youth went on. Our goal was not to knock on a large number of doors, but just to knock on as many doors as we could in the amount of time that we had, which was about 45 minutes. We ran across several houses where nobody was home, and a couple of houses where the individuals who answered the door smiled and accepted our invitation.
Then we came upon this one house where a seemingly nice lady answered the door. When she opened the door, she screamed and immediately jumped back. Sometimes this happens when door knocking, especially when you surprise someone who doesn’t see you, but this woman didn’t get over her start; she was visibly disturbed. She immediately said that she didn’t entertain guests. She asked us to leave, and then said, “I’m scared and I’m alone.”
I thought, we’re exactly the people that you need to talk with, but by that time she had closed the door. Before that, accepted a packet of information, and hopefully it will bring her some comfort. Nevertheless, if she had only been a little more open, she could have received a blessing. You see there is no reason for anyone to be scared and alone in this world so long as the church of Christ is present. In fact, the church serves as the very antithesis of her sentiment. It is a place where individuals are encouraged to be courageous and together with their fellow Christians. Let’s consider how the church serves as a place to alleviate fear and provide a place for faithful companionship.
First, the church is a place that alleviates fear. Consider God’s words through the apostle John: “There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:8). It is great to have a relationship where there is no fear. Such a relationship can only occur among mature Christians. Love makes such a relationship possible. When we know and understand that in the heart of the Christian lies the love of Christ, there is no fear of one another, because we will only see love. If we don’t see love in the life of our fellow faithful Christians, then perhaps we are seeing our own reflection, our own fears, and our own lack of love. Indeed, the one who fears is not made perfect in love. The church is to be that place of love where individuals have the opportunity to learn and grow spiritually. It is a place of acceptance for those who are willing to crucify themselves to the selfishness of the flesh and follow Christ. “Perfect love casts out fear.”
Second, based upon the love God the Father and Jesus Christ have for us, we have boldness. 1 John 4:17 says, “Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.” Without fear in our lives, we can be bold, knowing that God and Christ love us, and want what is best for us. The Day of Judgment is an event that frightens many, but it does not frighten the Christian. The Christian knows what is on the other side, and he is ready to embrace it. With such boldness, there is no terror in life that might threaten Him. The Psalmist wrote, “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. . . . Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation” (Psalm 91:5-9).
Third, the church is a place for faithful companionship. The greatest friends I know are members of the body of Christ, the church of Christ. This does not mean that we don’t have our disagreements; it also does not mean that we don’t chastise one another, but it does mean that we don’t give up on one another. It means that we stick tight with each other through the tough times, and help one another grow to be more like God. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” This is the kind of commitment that we give and get from those who are faithful members of the Lord’s body.
There is absolutely no reason to be scared and alone in the world when God’s people are available. However, without the church, and without God, I would be scared and alone. If you are someone who needs a true friend who will challenge you to grow spiritually, and who will stick with you to the end, find the church of Christ today and do everything you can to love her in your life.