Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I had the opportunity to visit Avila, a city not too far from Madrid, when me and my friend decided to fly across the pond for a one-week break from work in the fall of last year. I had long wanted to see this UNESCO world heritage site. I had read that in all of Spain, Avila has the most remarkably preserved medieval wall structure with nine gates and more than eighty towers. It was built in the 11th century to defend the town from external threats and invasions. During those turbulent times in their history, a fortification that was three meters in thickness and more than twelve meters high was necessary to protect the lives of the citizens of Avila. Within these walls, they found safety.
Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
We all need a place where we can feel safe. It is true that life is difficult, and conflicts abound in all aspects of human interaction. No one is immune to pain and suffering. Sadly, we live and make choices that are often driven by fear and anxiety. Consciously or subconsciously, we build our own walls and defenses to preserve ourselves, our privacy, and to limit our friendships with only those who agree with us. While external, physical, and societal forces may pose a threat to our safety, sanity, and wellbeing, the consequences of a callous and self-seeking heart are far more serious. I am truly grateful for all the people and processes that work toward the protection of our lives, health and freedom. I value the resources that are at our disposal to promote health and prevent injury. However, if the preservation of myself and my safety becomes my main obsession; if I am always preoccupied with what could potentially offend me; if I am constantly on guard against what could hurt me, my heart will never learn the rest that Jesus promised to those who come to Him.
“Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, though all things pass, God does not change. Patience wins all things. But he lacks nothing who possesses God; for God alone suffices.” Teresa de Avila
Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada was born in Avila on March 28, 1515. She came to love Jesus so much that nothing else but His presence in prayer and solitude gave her the greatest joy. Though she faced much physical hardship and was frequently ill, she lived in obedience to the Lord and pressed on with the work that God had called her to do. Also known as St. Theresa of Jesus, Christ alone was her safety and security. In the strength of her Savior, she went beyond the walls of Avila and traveled long distances, as she opened her life to love and serve others in radical ways. She didn’t need the walls to protect her and she did not let the walls hinder her from giving all to Christ.
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Structures and systems that are meant for our protection, can turn into our own prison, when we forget that our ultimate security is in Christ alone. Because of Christ, there is no need to put up our own defenses, for He himself is our fortress. His perfect love breaks down the walls built by our sin and self-centeredness. In Him, we have been freed to walk peacefully through trials, to embrace difficult relationships and serve as a conduit of the hope He offers to everyone.
Our lives will always have moments and seasons of pain, illness, hardship, conflict, separation, and sorrow, not because of God’s failure to protect, heal, or provide. These are realities of our lifelong journey through which we get to experience more deeply the steadfast love of Him in whom we live and move and have our being. It is not my intention to minimize the horrors of abuse and other sufferings experienced by so many. It is true that there is a place for lament and grief in the life of every person. It is also true that because God is everything that He says He is, it is possible to be in the middle of real physical harm, or serious emotional turmoil, or deep spiritual battles, and still have the assurance that we are precisely where God wants us to be for such a time as this. The Holy Spirit continues to encourage me that as I grow in intimacy with my Lord and as I surrender to His sanctifying grace each day, every single item in the long list of tragedies that I fear, will gradually weave its way into the list of things that can NEVER separate me from the love of God. (Romans 8:37-39) This is the heart change that I need. This is the work that He has begun and will complete (Phil 1:6)
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped
my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
The word of God further reminds me that the only shield I will ever need on this earth is the shield of faith; a gift graciously given by Him who is already victorious through His death and resurrection. Because He is my shield, I can take risks in obedience to Him and for His glory. Like Joab, I should trust the Lord to do what seems good to Him. (2 Samuel 10:12)
As I stepped outside the walls of Avila through one of its nine gates, I was rewarded with an amazing view of a peaceful valley and picturesque mountains. While the medieval walls were undoubtedly impressive, the sights that lay beyond them were even more breathtaking. Christ has opened the gates of courage and compassion so that we can love others beyond the boundaries of our comfort. We can let go of the man-made fortresses of our hearts and live in faith instead of fear.
Psalm 16: 7-9 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
Lamp unto my feet 